Department of Ecology Penalizes Samruq-Qazyna Subsidiary

The Department of Ecology has penalized a subsidiary of Samruq-Qazyna for environmental violations — and, according to Orda.kz, disciplinary measures were also taken against the department itself.

The prosecutor’s office reported that the regional Department of Ecology violated the so-called “prosecutor’s filter,” a rule requiring that any administrative proceedings against an investor be pre-approved by the prosecutor.

Department officials, without the prosecutor’s approval, twice brought administrative charges against the investor, ShalkiyaZinc Ltd., under Article 325 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (‘Violation of Industrial Environmental Monitoring Requirements’), the supervisory authority stated.

As a result, the department’s chief specialist and deputy head were disciplined.

ShalkiyaZinc Ltd, established on March 29, 2013, is a major state-owned enterprise engaged in the mining and processing of lead and zinc ore. The company is a 100 percent subsidiary of JSC National Mining Company Tau-Ken Samruk, which in turn is wholly owned by Samruq-Qazyna.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva