Sustainability
Emissions
Emissions into the air
Talvivaara's most significant emissions into the air are dust and hydrogen sulphide emissions. In addition the use of lime, machinery, the use of explosives, the production of energy and the hydrogen production plant produce carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions at Talvivaara. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions are generated, for example, by the use of energy and the production of burnt lime, commuting and waste management. Talvivaara is one of the participants of an international carbon footprint reporting. More information about this www.cdproject.net.
Hydrogen sulphide emissions
The smell of hydrogen sulphide has occasionally spread into the neighbouring communities from the metals recovery plant. These emissions do not cause any environmental or health risk, but due to the low odour threshold, they have nevertheless caused nuisance to local residents. Odour emissions have already reduced, but the identification of the best solution has taken time as there are several emission sources. Management of odour emissions has been improved by reconstructing the scrubbers and improving the efficiency and reliability of the equipment among other things.
Dust emissions
Talvivaara's dust emissions are quantitatively low, but the company continuously works to reduce them even further. Talvivaara monitors the quantity and quality of dust at 31 measuring points around the plant area. Talvivaara's materials handling plant causes point source pollution as it releases stack discharges into the air. At the plant, dusting is controlled through the use of a filter system. In addition, fugitive dust emissions are produced by internal traffic at the mine and by blasting in open pit mining. Blasting generates a dark and soot-like cloud of graphite dust, which sometimes spreads into the neighbouring communities and causes nuisance to local residents. However, graphite dust does not constitute a health or environmental risk. Dust emissions caused by blasting will decrease as blasting operations at the open pit move deeper and deeper below ground. Fugitive emissions from traffic will be reduced by continuing the watering of roads and developing the working methods of mining.
