The management of issues related to the sustainable consumption of natural resources, compliance with environmental legislation, minimisation and avoidance of negative environmental impacts, as well as the improvement of environmental protection measures is carried out within the framework of the Corporate Integrated Management System (CIMS) in quality and the environment. The operation of CIMS is carried out in accordance with the requirements imposed by international standards and internal regulatory documents of the Company. The CIMS of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel is used at the Head Office, Zapolarny, Zapolarny Transport, and Murmansk Transport Branches.
OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel successfully passed the annual supervisory CIMS audit in 2013 and renewal of its certification was recommended. The summary issued by an independent certification body, Bureau Veritas Certification, specified that the Company has demonstrated effective operation, maintenance, and improvement of CIMS, pursued its basic goals and objectives, and monitored their attainment.
In 2013, the Company conducted 85 internal audits (73 in 2012), including 31 at Kola MMC.
The Company regularly monitors amendments that are introduced into the environmental legislation and enters the relevant data into an electronic registry available to all divisions involved.
The evaluation of compliance with legal requirements in the field of environmental protection at the facilities of the OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel is conducted in accordance with special regulations in the course of internal environmental audits.
Monitoring the attainment of environmental objectives is also accomplished on the basis of a unified environmental protection reporting system which is used at the Group’s enterprises. The production divisions of the Group implemented certified local quality, environment, and industrial safety management systems that play a major role in the achievement of the Company’s strategic goals.
The foreign enterprises belonging to the Group (Tati Nickel, Nkomati, NN Harjavalta) have also introduced environmental management, quality management, and occupational health and safety management systems that satisfy the requirements of international standards.