Rights of indigenous peoples

Policy of engagement with indigenous peoples

In 2024, Nornickel’s Board of Directors approved an updated

Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Small‑Numbered Peoples

Independent experts, tribal communities, and associations of indigenous minorities participated in updating the document, enabling the comprehensive alignment with international standards, the Company’s experience in implementing support projects and programmes for indigenous minorities, and the specific needs and suggestions of the indigenous peoples of Taimyr and the Murmansk Region.

The implementation of the Company’s policy of engagement with indigenous peoples, along with the integration of human rights‑based approaches, enables Nornickel to build sustainable and trusting relationships with indigenous communities. Nornickel continues to consistently advance initiatives for engagement with the indigenous small‑numbered peoples of the North, building a sustainable framework to support their development and foster ongoing collaboration on joint projects.

In 2025, the programme’s activities are focused on implementing the Company’s Policy of Engagement with Indigenous Small‑Numbered Peoples, with the aim of improving quality of life, developing social infrastructure, preserving traditional economic activities, and supporting indigenous culture.

FPIC principle

The FPIC principle lies at the heart of the Company’s approach to engagement with indigenous peoples. This approach guarantees that:

• free engagement is free from intimidation, coercion, manipulation, or persecution;
• prior consent is sought at early stages of conceptualisation or development of project activities, and indigenous people s have sufficient time to make an informed decision;
• informed participation is ensured through full disclosure of information regarding all material aspects of a proposed activity.

Programme to support indigenous peoples

In 2024, Nornickel completed its five‑year programme to support the indigenous peoples of Taimyr. Performance under the programme was reviewed by the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Committee of MMC Norilsk Nickel’s Board of Directors and at meetings of the Company’s executive bodies. Its results were also presented to the wider public in early 2025. The Company spent over RUB 2 billion on the programme.

1. Liaison with federal institutions, e.g. an agreement with the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs (FAEA)

   The Company engages in joint initiatives with the FAEA that focus on institutional development and the inclusion of indigenous minorities in decision‑making processes concerning matters that impact their legitimate interests:

   • The Indigenous Peoples of Russia – Social Diplomacy nationwide educational competition programme is aimed at enhancing the qualifications, leadership skills, and expert capacity of indigenous people;
   • Support for expert workshops and analytical studies, including annual independent monitoring of business–indigenous peoples relations, based on the collective position of institutions representing the indigenous small‑numbered peoples of the North.

2. Implementation of charitable programmes

   Support for indigenous minorities is provided as part of the long‑term corporate sustainable development program:

   • The World of New Opportunities charitable programme provides institutional and infrastructural conditions for the sustainable development of communities across indigenous territories;
   • The World of Taimyr grant competition aims to support initiatives led by indigenous minorities and non‑governmental organisations in areas such as ethnic cultural development, environmental protection, education, traditional ways of life, and cultural and tourism projects.

3. Partnerships with indigenous associations and authorities of Russian regions

   The Company is consistently strengthening its engagement with indigenous peoples through agreements with federal and regional indigenous associations as well as through support received from regional authorities.

   Such engagement involves supporting agreed‑upon projects, including initiatives aimed at:

   • developing indigenous culture and traditional economic activities;
   • organising and conducting socially significant events that foster interest in and help preserve traditional indigenous activities and culture;
   • implementing infrastructure initiatives as part of long‑term regional programmes for the social and economic development of Taimyr.

Indigenous Communities Coordination Council

In 2021, to foster systemic dialogue with the indigenous peoples of the Taimyrsky Dolgano‑Nenetsky Municipal District and improve their quality of life, Nornickel established the Indigenous Communities Coordination Council, supervised by the head of the Norilsk Division. The Coordination Council oversees Nornickel’s programmes to support the indigenous peoples of Taimyr. Community members may also provide feedback on the Company’s initiatives and put forward their own suggestions. In total, the Council brings together 58 tribal communities engaged in traditional economic activities on the Taimyr Peninsula.

The Company’s Coordination Council, which includes representatives of tribal communities of Taimyr’s indigenous peoples, implements targeted projects aimed at:

• facilitating traditional nature use by providing assistance to communities in preparation for the season of traditional economic activities (hunting, fishing);
• supporting educational initiatives – the Company has extended the Taimyr Students programme, which offers comprehensive assistance to indigenous students, into 2025.