Oskemen: Kazzinc Faces Inspection over Air Pollution

Previously, the city recorded high levels of air pollution, which caused concern among local residents, Orda.kz reports.

The Prosecutor General's Office has given the green light to inspect Kazzinc's metallurgical complex, according to a response from Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to a parliamentary inquiry.

The Committee for Environmental Regulation and Control will conduct the inspection.

The East Kazakhstan region aims to cut harmful emissions by 10-20% as part of broader environmental protection measures being implemented nationwide.

We have approved 19 roadmaps aimed at comprehensively solving environmental problems in each region. This includes measures to reduce pollution of the atmosphere, water resources, soil, the introduction of the best available techniques at enterprises, waste management, and environmental education, Bektenov's response states.

The metallurgical complex will undergo equipment modernization, expected to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 2,200 tons by 2026.

Bektenov also noted that stricter legislation is in the works.

The proposed changes would allow surprise inspections of facilities, including during nighttime hours, and impose heavier fines for exceeding emission limits.

While environmental monitoring currently takes place at 169 stations nationwide, plans are to establish an additional 143 stations by 2030.

Original Author: Alina Pak

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