Interaction with indigenous peoples

Nornickel acknowledges and respects the indigenous rights enshrined in the Russian and international law. In its operations, the Company pays attention to the rights indigenous peoples have with respect to their traditional lands, territories, and associated natural resources. The Company seeks to strengthen and develop partnerships with indigenous peoples residing in the regions of operation.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Policy of PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel is the key document setting out principles, commitments, and allocation of responsibilities among the functional units of the Company in this area.

Key principles, standards and regulations

Responsibilities in interacting with indigenous northern peoples

Free, Prior and Informed Consent process

FPIC is a complex documented negotiation system enabling indigenous peoples to make well‑informed decisions without external pressure based on the analysis of timely provided project information and offering them advisory assistance in the evaluation and consideration of such information. FPIC is not directly included in the national legislation of the Russian Federation. However, the UN requires that such consent be obtained for all projects affecting indigenous peoples. Consent is needed if the project is expected to have a significant impact on indigenous communities, including in cases of relocation or expropriation of land used for traditional economic activities.

Tukhard

Nornickel was the first company in the Russian Arctic to obtain FPIC for launching the Tukhard relocation and development programme. In the space of five months, three rounds of consultations and three communal meetings were held, during which residents agreed to join the FPIC process, and consented to further relocation and development of the settlement subject to the fulfilment of some of their conditions. Those conditions included participating in all stages of design and construction, choosing the location for the new settlement, defining the social and communal infrastructure needs, ensuring compliance with the outdoor design requirements, and having the necessary infrastructure for reindeer herding. Following extensive public opinion polls and a census held in 2023, residents were presented with a master plan for the new settlement and house layouts, and invited to take part in further discussions. The Company plans to complete the construction of the infrastructure agreed with the residents of the new settlement, as well as the acquisition of apartments in Dudinka in the mid‑term.

Lovozero District of the Murmansk Region

The Company used lessons learned in Tukhard to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Sámi, Nenets, and Komi peoples. In view of the planned Kolmozerskoye lithium deposit development, in 2022 Nornickel organised preliminary consultations with representatives of indigenous peoples residing in Lovozero and Krasnoshchelye (Murmansk Region) to inform local communities about the upcoming industrial project and invite them to join the FPIC process.

In 2023, a Working Group for the Indigenous Minorities and Reindeer Herders of the Murmansk Region was set up to discuss planned due diligence initiatives, the grievance mechanism, and ways to ensure that all opinions are considered and results are verified at all stages of the survey. The Working Group includes representatives of the Kola Sámi Association, Public Organisation of the Sámi People of the Murmansk Region, Council of IndigenousPeoples under the Government of the Murmansk Region, and major reindeer herding farms. From July to September 2023, ethnographic and natural science research teams consisting of scientists, representatives of indigenous communities, and opinion leaders conducted fieldwork research for the ethnicity expert review. The findings of the expert review will be used to draft a plan for interaction with indigenous peoples, including measures to reduce impacts, compensatory actions, and a sustainable development plan, after which the FPIC procedure will be proposed to the indigenous communities of the Murmansk Region’s Lovozero District.

Additionally, Nornickel is assisting the Sámi people in their sustainable development as part of the Cooperation Agreement between the Kola Sámi Association of the Murmansk Region and PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel.

Activities of the Coordinating Council for Interacting with Family (Tribal) Communities of Indigenous Northern Minorities at Polar Division

In 2021, Nornickel established a Coordinating Council for Interacting with Family (Tribal) Communities of Indigenous Northern Minorities supervised by the Company’s Senior Vice President, Head of Norilsk Division. The Council seeks to promote an equitable and respectful dialogue and long‑term cooperation with indigenous peoples. It also oversees Nornickel’s Programme for Promoting Social and Economic Development of the Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District in 2020–2024. Indigenous communities actively participated in the development of this programme, providing direct inputs and voicing their needs, demands, values, views, national and cultural traditions.

Key projects in support of indigenous northern peoples in 2023

In 2023, the Company implemented the following initiatives as part of the Programme for Promoting Social and Economic Development of the Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District:

• constructing seven residential buildings in Volochanka and Ust‑Avam;
• purchasing five flats in Dudinka for orphaned children;
• commissioning three first aid and obstetric facilities (Volochanka, Ust‑Avam, Ust‑Port), each providing accommodation for the families of medical staff furnished with pharmacy equipment, household furniture and appliances;
• conducting research to assess the water bioresources of the Khatanga and Yenisey rivers;
• arranging transportation of agricultural products (reindeer meat, northern species of fish) from settlements and hunting/fishing facilities located in the Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District (cities of Dudinka and Norilsk) to retail chains for further resale;
• admitting students from indigenous northern communities to the Polar State University under the Students of Taimyr programme (at the end of 2023, there were 56 indigenous students studying at the university, up 40% y‑o‑y);
• providing 11 rural educational institutions with an additional internet resource, installing satellite and office equipment, introducing online lessons, and organising advanced training courses for teachers.

The assistance provided by the Company to the family (tribal) communities has proven its efficiency, with infrastructure across settlements gradually improving, traditional economic patterns gaining momentum, and their cultural practices and values resurrected and preserved.

In 2020–2023, we streamlined communications under the Coordinating Council and expanded the geography of our Programme (in previous years, eight localities of the Khatanga rural settlement and Lake Khantayskoye were included in the Programme).

In 2024, the Company plans to gather representatives of indigenous peoples to evaluate the results of our five‑year partnership.

World of Taimyr project competition

The Company uses the World of Taimyr project competition (held for the second time in 2023) to support public initiatives aimed at preserving the local culture, lifestyle, and traditions of Taimyr’s indigenous peoples and creating conditions for the sustainable development of their traditional livelihoods. A special feature of the competition is the grant funding system, which welcomes only the indigenous peoples of Taimyr, non‑profit organisations, and municipal and public institutions implementing projects in the interests of indigenous peoples.

The 2023 funding totalled RUB 53 mln covering 18 social projects, which will be implemented by the end of 2024. The winners’ public initiatives address a wide variety of social issues: revive national languages, create a culture of environmental protection, hold landscaping campaigns, develop infrastructure across Taimyr settlements, preserve cultural heritage, and many more (for more details, please see the World of New Opportunities charitable programme subsection).