Norilsk Collection

Nikolay Urvantsev, Soviet geologist
Nikolay Nikolayevich Urvantsev (1893-1985), Soviet geologist, speaking in public at his 80th birthday celebration. Urvantsev is best known for his exploration of northern Siberia and the Arctic

Smoking pipes of metallurgical complex in Norilsk, Russian Arctic.. Summer, August. Severely polluted town sits in the same landscape depression in arctic tundra

Talnakh power station at night C018 / 2342
Electricity generation. View of the Talnakh-2 thermal power plant at night. Talnakh is part of the vast Norilsk metal ore field

Steel plates for copper electrorefining C018 / 2349
Copper production. Steel plates being loaded into an electrolytic cell at a refinery. These are cathode plates, steel sheets onto which pure copper is deposited by electrolysis

Steel plates for copper electrorefining C018 / 2350
Copper production. Steel plates being loaded into an electrolytic cell at a refinery. These are cathode plates, steel sheets onto which pure copper is deposited by electrolysis

Pouring molten copper at a refinery C018 / 2345
Copper production. Molten copper being poured into ingot moulds. The ingots are like thick plates. These can later be sent for purification by electrolysis

Pouring molten copper at a refinery C018 / 2346
Copper production. Molten copper being poured into ingot moulds. The ingots are like thick plates. These can later be sent for purification by electrolysis

Froth flotation tank at copper refinery C018 / 2344
Copper production. View across a froth flotation tank at a copper smelting plant. Copper ore is crushed to a rough powder, wet to form a slurry then treated with a xanthate

Copper smelting works C018 / 2347
Copper smelting works

Copper sulfide froth in a flotation tank C018 / 2351
Copper production. View of a copper sulphide froth in a flotation tank at a copper smelting plant. Copper ore is crushed to a rough powder, wet to form a slurry then treated with a xanthate

Copper plates at a refinery C018 / 2348
Copper production. Stacks of copper plates at a refinery. These are cathode plates, steel sheets onto which pure copper has deposited by electrolysis

Metalworks foundry worker wearing protective clothing as he opens a cover to allow molten metal to flow from a smelter into a sluice

Norilsk industrial centre, Russia
Industrial centre in the Arctic. This is part of the Norilsk industrial centre, in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberian Russia

Metalworks foundry equipment. Bucket carrying molten metal across a metalworks foundry area. This is the smelter shop in the Nadezhdinsky metalworks of the Norilsk Nickel Company

Nickel ore processing factory. Aerial photograph of the chimney stacks and buildings of the Norilsk Nickel Company nickel ore processing factory, near Norilsk, northern Siberia, Russia

Nickel quarry explosions. Dust clouds rising from explosions being used to mine nickel ore in a quarry. This is the Medvezhy Ruchei (Bear Creek) quarry, being mined by the Norilsk Nickel Company

Nickel quarry. This is the Medvezhy Ruchei (Bear Creek) quarry, being mined by the Norilsk Nickel Company, in northern Siberia, Russia

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Norilsk, a city with a rich history and an industrial landscape that tells tales of resilience and progress. Named after the Soviet geologist Nikolay Urvantsev, Norilsk stands as a testament to human ingenuity amidst challenging circumstances. The smoking pipes of the metallurgical complex in Norilsk paint a picture of determination and hard work. These towering structures release plumes of smoke into the sky, symbolizing the ceaseless efforts to extract valuable resources from this rugged land. As night falls, the Talnakh power station illuminates Norilsk with its bright lights. A beacon of energy generation, it powers not only the city but also fuels dreams and aspirations for a better future. Steel plates for copper electrorefining stand as silent witnesses to technological advancements in metallurgy. These sturdy materials play their part in transforming raw elements into refined products that fuel industries worldwide. The pouring molten copper at a refinery captures moments of transformation and metamorphosis. The intense heat melts down raw materials, shaping them into something more valuable – an allegory for personal growth and evolution. In contrast, the froth flotation tank at the copper refinery showcases innovative techniques employed in mineral processing. This intricate process separates minerals from impurities through air bubbles, highlighting mankind's ability to harness scientific knowledge for economic gain while minimizing environmental impact. Amidst all these industrial marvels lies Norilsk's copper smelting works - an embodiment of progress forged by countless hands over time. It represents both challenges overcome and opportunities seized upon; it is where ideas become reality. Norilsk may be known for its smoking pipes and steel plates but beneath its surface lies so much more - stories waiting to be told about perseverance against adversity, innovation born out of necessity, and triumphs achieved through collective effort.