A large-scale biodiversity study initiated by Nornickel was launched in the Zabaykalsky Region, where the production site of Bystrinsky GOK is located. The study aims to identify the Company’s impact areas and evaluate the current level of ecosystem biodiversity across three Russian regions that host Nornickel’s operations.

Researchers from several leading research institutes within the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences are involved in the project. The study covers exploration, mining, production, transport, logistics, and energy facilities of the Norilsk, Kola and Trans-Baikal Divisions of Nornickel, and kicked off in the Zabaykalsky Region.

**The first field trip by the scientists to the Bystrinsky factory**

Experts from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences worked at the Bystrinsky GOK site in the Gazimuro-Zavodsky District (Zabaykalsky Region) for five days. This was the researchers’ first on-site visit, with the bulk of the research on the flora, fauna and other elements of the local ecosystem scheduled to take place during the warm season.

“Many studies cannot be done in winter, for example studies of invertebrates or herbaceous plants, but surveys of winter routes of mammals and birds can be done even during the cold season. Studies were designed in line with zoological standards and protocols. Winter routes are studied on a snowy surface to evaluate the activity patterns of ungulate mammals, rodents, lagomorphs, and carnivores,” said Igor Moroldoev, Senior Researcher at Novosibirsk Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals.

To gather information, researchers first wipe out old tracks and count only those that appear on the snow a day later to obtain reliable data on the number and distribution of animals in each area. At the same time, they are compared to what is known as reference sites, which are located near the production facilities but are marginally affected by operations. Other factors that are taken into account include the wind rose, condition of inanimate nature, etc. This analysis will inform an objective opinion about the existence or otherwise of a biodiversity impact from the Company’s operations.

“We are extremely careful about planning our routes, marking route points on the map in advance. They should run evenly across the entire site of Bystrinsky GOK and its adjacent areas but should not be in immediate proximity to active roads or rivers. We cover routes ranging from 5 to 15 kilometres, capturing data on both animals and birds as we walk,” said Yury Bazhenov, researcher at the Chita Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology within the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to him, game animal species that are most common in the Gazimuro-Zavodsky District include mammals such as white hare and roe deer, and hazel grouse and capercaillie are the most abundant grouse bird species. Foxes and wolves are also found in forests. Parus major, waxwing and bullfinch are among the bird species wintering in this area. In summer, species diversity becomes much richer.

Overall, the covered area has a distinctly continental climate with long cold winters and significant fluctuations in daily and seasonal temperatures. Permafrost covering the Gazimuro-Zavodsky District is sporadic, found in isolated pockets. There have been no major ornithology studies in the area. Experts estimate that the area might host around 170 bird species. As for mammals, ungulates, rodents and carnivores are the most common species. A total of 21 mammal species have been identified as using the area of Bystrinsky GOK.

Background:

The biodiversity research expedition builds on the successful partnership between Nornickel and the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which started in 2020 with the Great Norilsk Expedition. By initiating voluntary large-scale environmental studies across its operating regions, the Company gathers up-to-date information about the current condition of the environment across its footprint while also unlocking opportunities to further reduce its environmental impact.

Researchers will conduct field studies of ground and aquatic ecosystems, including visual observations, samplings for physical, chemical and physical-chemical analysis, as well as studying the species composition of local plant, animal, bird, and aquatic organism communities.

This study is unprecedented in terms of its scope and will be a major scientific contribution, informing efforts to build out the corporate biodiversity management system and biodiversity monitoring and conservation programmes.

Researchers from the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences launch a study of fauna at the Bystrinsky GOK site