Nornickel Launches the “Sprut” Platform
The Nornickel Group has begun industrial operation of digital logistics management systems across its assets. The Sprut platform manages transport and logistics, while AXIOMA is used for environmental forecasting.
Successful Deployment
The adaptation and rollout cycle for digital logistics solutions developed and tested under real-world conditions has been completed. The Sprut platform is already in operation and combines functionalities that are not available in off-the-shelf digital logistics management products. Importantly, the system has been adapted to the diverse geographical and technological conditions of Nornickel’s facilities.
AXIOMA takes into account weather conditions and production operating modes. The system has received a conformity certificate from Rosstandart, representing a significant milestone. This year, an additional module was developed. It enables forecasting not only based on weather and equipment operating modes, but also allows production processes to be optimized in line with these parameters.
A Consistent Digitalization Strategy
Nornickel applies artificial intelligence and machine learning across all stages of the production chain – from exploration to smelting – optimizing processes while minimizing risks to people and the environment.
In particular, in 2023 the company invested 7.6 billion rubles (approximately $91 million) in projects related to information technology, innovation, and digitalization. Nornickel is building its own research capabilities and fostering a culture of high-tech development. This work is centered at the Gipronickel Institute, part of the Group and one of Russia’s largest research and engineering centers in mining, mineral processing, and metallurgy.
Today, the company is developing an industrial safety framework based on its own video analytics solution. The system detects 89 percent of violations related to personal protective equipment usage, while employee identification accuracy exceeds 70 percent. As a result, safety culture is actively supported and strengthened. Monitoring is also in place for areas beneath gantry cranes. The system projects a laser beam to mark hazardous zones and tracks the presence of personnel in loading areas.
Together with its subsidiary IT company Norsoft, Nornickel has launched a joint project to develop an automated emissions accounting system based on digital twins of technological processes. The project has been included in the list of approved initiatives aimed at replacing foreign software with Russian alternatives and in the roadmap for developing the high-tech domain of New Industrial Software. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce environmental impact.
Digital Technologies Beyond Mining
The company is also deploying a digital platform that provides a unified data environment for construction projects based on continuously updated digital models of buildings and structures. The platform covers industrial facilities, residential buildings, and social infrastructure.
Digital tools track the use of funds, accelerate document workflows and communications among stakeholders, and identify design errors and deviations from approved plans.
Analytics based on laser scanning is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for digital construction control. Ground-based LiDAR scanning is used at every stage of construction to automatically detect discrepancies between the construction project and its original 3D model.
Nornickel is working on the creation of a unified digital platform that enables end-to-end automation of core business processes at mining operations, including geological exploration, drilling, sampling, extraction, and ground support. Such a platform will provide access to high-quality, reliable technological data at all management levels and, as a result, allow faster and more effective decision-making.
In 2025, Nornickel automated the warehouse infrastructure of the Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company in Zapolyarny, Nickel, and Monchegorsk, as well as the Unified Warehouse System in Norilsk, Talnakh, and Dudinka. Deployment was enabled by the maturity of the company’s IT infrastructure. A total of 150 warehouse employees were trained to work with the new platform.
Overall, Nornickel is taking another step from automation toward intelligent digital logistics. The deployment of proprietary platforms signals growing in-house IT expertise and reduced dependence on external vendors. This direction strengthens the Group’s operational resilience in logistics and planning.
