Titanium and Magnesium Plant Fined 24 Million Tenge for Emissions in Oskemen

Following a release of hazardous emissions, the Oskemen Titanium and Magnesium Plant (TMK) has been fined approximately 24 million tenge. An unscheduled environmental inspection, conducted from May 20 to June 2, uncovered serious violations, Orda.kz reports.

Inspectors found that the plant had failed to comply with regulations related to its gas cleaning equipment.

During preventive cleaning of one of the flues, a technological failure occurred. Excessive pressure built up, causing a steam-gas emission to escape into the atmosphere, bypassing the cleaning system. According to TMK, the incident lasted around two hours—this was confirmed by specialists from the Department of Emergency Situations, the East Kazakhstan Region’s Department of Ecology reported following the inspection.  

Compounding the issue, inspectors discovered that air sampling devices were malfunctioning or improperly maintained, calling the accuracy of the recorded emission levels into question.

TMK has been ordered to eliminate all violations, set up an environmental monitoring system, and carry out repeated measurements to confirm that its treatment facilities meet design standards. The company must also develop a plan to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,environmentalists stated. 

If these requirements aren’t fulfilled promptly, the plant will face another inspection.

In May, a yellow haze blanketed the industrial zone of Oskemen. Environmentalists later confirmed the presence of toxic chlorine in the air. On May 21, the city’s Akim attempted to enter the Titanium and Magnesium Plant to assess the situation, but was denied access. In fact, not only were local officials barred from entering, but even prosecutors were reportedly turned away. 

Despite the growing concern, the plant denied that the incident was man-caused.

Meanwhile, residents endured days of acrid air. Many kept their windows shut and chose not to send their children to school out of fear for their health.

Original Author: Indira Kakimova