[Translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

Kazzinc paid almost 50 million tenge in fines for polluting rivers in East Kazakhstan region, 7 September 2023

The incident occurred in July of this year, writes Caravan.kz with reference to the press service of the Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. An examination carried out by specialists revealed an increase in the concentration of nitrates in contaminated water by 140 times, suspended substances by 50 times and manganese by 5 times.

“Based on the results of an unscheduled inspection, administrative fines totaling 49.6 million tenge were imposed for violations. All fines have been collected,” the department reported.

The officials also filed...a complaint on the grounds of an offense under Paras. 1 and 2 of Article 328 (Pollution, clogging or depletion of water) and Article 332 (Failure to comply with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the mandatory conduct of state environmental assessment) of the Criminal Code.

“In case of refusal to initiate a criminal case regarding soil pollution against Kazzinc LLP under Para. 4 of Article 337 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, a fine of 6.9 million tenge will be imposed,” the message says...