Alexey Kosygin could not help but visit Nadezhda metallurgical plant (NMP). He closely followed the object, because he himself promoted the construction of a metallurgical giant of a full cycle – from ore to metal – beyound the Arctic Circle.
Moreover, the construction of the plant was going on with difficulties. It was started with no project. There was no time for long design and bureaucratic procedures in the Arctic with its harsh conditions. Simultaneous design and construction in Norilsk was the norm. So at the construction of the NMP, it was decided to work out the technological modes, design buildings and build the plant at the same time.
It was even planned to produce an underground atomic explosion. The peaceful atom was supposed to create an underground storage for the tailings. Wells have already been drilled for a nuclear charge. But the option of storing the tailings in open storage facilities was proposed, and the atomic explosion was canceled.
A year after the visit of Alexey Kosygin, the Nadezhda metallurgical plant produced the first product – sulphide concentrate.
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Text: Svetlana Samokhina, Photo: Nornickel Polar Branch archive
