Author 1:
Name & Surname: Galaov R. B.
Company: Polar Division of PJSC “MMC “NORILSK NICKEL” (Norilsk, Russia)
Work Position: Deputy Director for Mineral and Raw Materials Base
Contacts: phone: +7 (3919) 25-42-01

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Pelipenko E. V.
Company: Polar Division of PJSC “MMC “NORILSK NICKEL” (Norilsk, Russia)
Work Position: Head of department, Center for Geologic Works

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Kolechko S. S.
Company: Polar Division of PJSC “MMC “NORILSK NICKEL” (Norilsk, Russia)
Work Position: Deputy Director, Center for Geologic Works

The discovery of the unequalled copper-nickel deposits and the construction of a mining-and-processing integrated works in the Norilsk Region, which then became a flagship of the nonferrous industry in Russia, naturally crowned the long-term exploration of the near Yenisei North. The first information on mineral occurrences in the Norilsk Region dates back to the mid 1800s. Copper smelting was launched in 1868. All in all, up to 200 poods (1 pood equals 16 kilos) were smelted and sold to the state treasury by the evidence of the Yenisei Mining Management. By now Norilsk Nickel is a diversified mining and metallurgical company, the world’s largest producer of nickel and palladium and the leading manufacturer of platinum, cobalt, copper and rhodium. Moreover, the Company produces gold, silver, ruthenium, iridium, osmium, selenium and tellurium. The richest reserves of high-grade and cupriferous sulfide ore to support sustainable operation of the Company for the next few decades occur in the territory of the Company’s Polar Division, in the Norilsk Industrial District. Although in possession of the unparalleled mineral and raw materials supply, Norilsk Nickel continuously carries out exploration aiming at reproduction of high-grade ore reserves. The recent years have faced the discovery and exploration of Vologochan copper-nickel deposit and Kamensk limestone deposit. The most valued result of the geological exploration was the discovery of the Maslovsky platinum-copper-nickel deposit that was entered in the RF State Balance of Mineral Resources. By expert appraisal, the latter is one of the largest deposits discovered in Russia for the past 20 years. In accordance with the terms of the subsoil use, the mines and plants within the Polar Division carry out obligatory operational exploration all through the mining license period. Operational exploration drilling, take it alone, conducted by the Polar Division during the last 5 years, makes over 166 thousand meters. At the present time, the geological exploration of the reserves at operating deposits encompasses peripheral and deep levels meant for development in the short term.

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