Ecology
The company is environmentally responsible for the land on which it operates. Consequently, it takes various measures to eliminate or minimize the negative impact of its production activities on the local environment.
79.5 million rubles
was directed to implementing the environmental program in 2020-2025
Special attention is given to environmental protection at the open-pit mining site. Drilling rigs are equipped with cyclone dust collectors, and a delay scheme is applied when calculating the timing of blasts in adjacent boreholes. Each industrial blast is monitored: seismic impact, noise levels, and atmospheric emissions are assessed. During the warm season, haul roads within the quarry are regularly dust-suppressed using water-spraying equipment.
The company operates treatment facilities for quarry and surface waters. These facilities are located near the open-pit site and designed to maximize the diversion of water into the quarry pit, taking spring flooding conditions into account. Surface runoff and wastewater are collected via a system of surrounding drainage ditches, through which the water flows into catchment areas and is then pumped via pipelines to wastewater treatment plants. The facilities are regularly maintained: in recent years, filtration dams using sorbent boom filters have been replaced, and sedimentation tanks are routinely cleaned of deposits. For the purposes of environmental and analytical control, the quality of treated wastewater discharged from the treatment plants is monitored on a regular basis.
A WLP-718 dust suppression system with a capacity of 18.5 kW and a spray range of 80–90 meters is used in the coal loading area. A mist cloud covering an area of 24,000 m² is formed within the operating range of the cannon. A noise and dust protection screen has also been installed.
Production and consumer waste of Hazard Classes I–IV is transferred for recycling and neutralization to specialized organizations holding waste management licenses. A contract has been concluded with the Federal Environmental Operator for the transfer of Hazard Class I and II waste for recycling and neutralization.
In 2023, the Korchakolskiy Open-Pit Mine reclaimed 79.6 hectares of land previously used in production. Slopes and elevation differences were leveled, a fertile topsoil layer was applied.
305,000
saplings of Scots pine, Siberian larch, and yellow acacia were planted on reclaimed land
The Korchakolskiy Open-Pit Mine hosts the Public Environmental Council under the administration of the Novokuznetsk Municipal District on a yearly basis. Council members observe mining and blasting operations and inspect treatment facilities, the coal transshipment yard, and reclamation sites. Following these visits, the Council issues an assessment of the company’s activities with regard to the environment.