Kazakhmys Temporarily Shuts Down Most Operations for Safety Audit

Kazakhmys Corporation has announced a phased suspension of operations across most of its mines and processing plants to conduct a comprehensive safety audit, Orda.kz reports.

Out of 13 mines, 12 will be temporarily closed, along with four processing plants. The decision follows a series of fatal accidents, with nine workers losing their lives at Kazakhmys facilities since the beginning of the year.

To strengthen industrial safety and labor protection, management has decided to temporarily suspend technological processes at production facilities with a heightened level of risk. This will be carried out in stages according to an approved schedule, said company representative Arman Tleukenov. 

Facilities Affected:

• March 20: East Zhezkazgan, Abyz, Sayak, Konyrat mines; Nurkazgan, Karagayly, Balkhash enrichment plants; as well as the specialized repair and mechanical department, construction and installation department, foundry and mechanical plant and specialized energy repair department
• March 21: South Zhezkazgan, Akbastau, Khadzhikongan, Shatyrkol, Zhaisan mines
• March 22: West Zhezkazgan mine
• March 23: Zhylandy mine
• March 24: Zhezkazgan enrichment plant

A special commission will conduct safety inspections to ensure all technological processes comply with regulations. Operations will only resume once all identified violations are fully resolved. Employees will continue to receive their wages during the suspension.

The decision comes after yet another workplace fatality at the East Zhezkazgan mine in the Ulytau region, prompting a mass inspection across Kazakhmys facilities.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov