Nornickel has implemented a far-reaching programme to collect the fuel residue along riverbanks and decontaminate the soil following the spill. We take full responsibility for the consequences of the incident and are doing everything we can to rectify the situation.
On May 29, 2020 the fuel storage facility at Heat and Power plant No 3 (HPP-3) in the Kayerkan Neighbourhood of Norilsk failed due to sudden sinking of its support posts, resulting in the fuel leakage. According to preliminary investigations 21.2kt of diesel fuel leaked beyond the bunding perimeter into a designated pit, into nearby soil and into the Bezymianny Stream, and the Daldykan and Ambarnaya Rivers. Special containment bons were installed and effectively prevented the contamination of the Pyasino Lake. No one was hurt and the city of Norilsk was not harmed in any way.
Nornickel’s response
Nornickel informed local authorities and government agencies and started the response operation immediately on May 29th, 2020. On June 19th, the Company completed the main phase of the clean-up. Nornickel promptly completed three main stages of the clean-up programme, with the spill fully localized and the majority of the fuel and water mixture collected. The mixture from the Ambarnaya and Daldykan rivers was pumped and separated, the separated fuel was transported from the temporary storage facility back to a HPP fuel tank. Oil-contaminated soil has been removed from the power plant’s territory and is being treated using the microbiological remediation method. Sampling of surface water and bottom sediments is carried out at 10 points on the Daldykan, Ambarnaya and Pyasina rivers. The effectiveness of the implemented measures is confirmed by the monitoring and sampling results, which indicate clear signs of an active environmental remediation process.
Recycling of contaminated soil
In 2023, the Company completed the rehabilitation of land contaminated by the fuel spill at CHPP-3 and disturbed during clean-up activities. The Company undertook to remedy any identified defects during the warranty period and to conduct a re-inspection in the absence of snow cover.
A follow-up examination of rehabilitated land conducted by an independent entity in 2024 confirmed that the chemical and physical soil indicators met quality standards and requirements of Russian laws. Nornickel plans to monitor this area in the coming years and assess how land rehabilitation efforts contribute to improving vegetation and soil conditions.
Key Figures
Please find more details regarding the clean-up campaign
What’s next?
Key actions
Company action following the accident: stepping up industrial safety
In June 2020 Nornickel commenced a comprehensive reassessment of risks associated with the Company’s hazardous operations
Engaged Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a specialist environmental consulting firm, to independently investigate the causes of the fuel spill. The ERM report was published at the end of November 2020. Based on it, Nornickel implements a set of additional measures aimed at preventing similar situations in the future
A detailed action plan to improve industrial safety at the Company’s facilities has been developed and submitted to the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological, and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor)
An additional RUB 100 billion is spent on repairs and upgrades of power infrastructure in a bid to enhance industrial safety
Enhancing monitoring of the foundations to identify and reduce risks
Geotechnical monitoring of buildings and structures - the system monitors the condition of foundations and load-bearing structures of the Company’s core production and infrastructure facilities
Background permafrost monitoring system – the system g enables the assessment of permafrost degradation trends in natural landscapes outside urban areas
Environmental research and rehabilitation programmes
Reproduction of aquatic bio-resources, including the release of juvenile fish into water bodies to preserve rare fish species; a project to build three fish breeding plants is under consideration
Biodiversity conservation — a programme to preserve local rare species and their habitat
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Region and OJSC NTEC, a Nornickel subsidiary, the Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Siberian Federal University has developed and carrying out a project for remediation of damage to wildlife and other environmental components that was caused by the accidental fuel spill
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences is carrying out the activities of the Big Norilsk Expedition 2 with Nornickel’s support
The Expedition activities include: assessment of risks of a repeated emergency associated with snowmelt and spring flood of 2021, research of fish, biodiversity and the state of permafrost