Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) invested over 58 billion rubles in environmental activities in 2000-2018, including 9 billion rubles in the last year alone, according to the company’s environmental report, published on its official website.
The report was prepared in order to inform all stakeholders about the company’s efforts in the field of environmental safety. The report reflects the main principles of MMK’s environmental policy, the results of environmental activities for the period from 2000 to 2018, as well as key areas for the implementation of the “Clean City” strategic initiative.
When planning long-term and sustainable development, MMK always works to ensure environmental safety and to improve their environmental management system. The company’s production work is carried out in accordance with the Russian legal requirements in the field of environmental protection and in accordance with the international standard ISO 14001:2015.
Among the main aims of environmental investments at Magnitogorsk is the implementation of air quality protection measures and measures aimed at reducing the plant’s negative impact on water bodies. MMK’s focus is on the use of industrial waste in its own production and reclamation of land. The result of this work was the reduction of total air emissions 1.6-fold from 2000 to 2018 (specific emissions were reduced 2.1-fold) and total pollutant discharges into water bodies was reduced 2.9-fold over the same period. Today, 100% of industrial wastewater is used in water recycling.
MMK’s environmental programs are part of the country’s overall environmental strategy. Comprehensive action plans to reduce emissions of air pollutants are being implemented in twelve large industrial centers, including Chelyabinsk and Magnitogorsk, this is in accordance with the president of Russia’s decree “On national goals and strategic objectives of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2024”. The key elements of the comprehensive plan adopted at Magnitogorsk are MMK’s projects developed within the framework of MMK’s “Clean City” initiative.
This environmental program is part of MMK’s development strategy for the period up to 2025 and aims to lower Magnitogorsk’s air pollution rating to the level of 5 units by 2025 (to meet the conditions of the “Clean City” initiative) and for their production standards to reflect the use of the best available technologies in Russia in terms of environmental impact. The strategic initiative envisages the construction of new environmental facilities and the reconstruction of existing facilities, as well as the radical first reconversion with decommissioning of obsolete equipment.
The implementation of the measures included in the “Clean City” initiative will allow a reduction in total emissions into the atmosphere by 18.4 thousand tons by 2025 and a tenfold reduction in emissions of the most dangerous class 1 and class 2 pollutants. Emissions of pollutants are expected to be reduced by 37.5 thousand tons. Waste recycling is targeted at no less than 2.3 million tons per year. Annual reclamation is planned at 20 thousand square meters of exhausted quarries. As part of the urban landscaping program, 11 thousand trees and shrubs will be planted on Magnitogorsk land. MMK’s total investment in environmental projects between 2018 and 2025 should exceed 38 billion rubles. (MMK/Ukrainian metal)