Ulytau Mine Incident: Majilis Deputy Calls for Improved Mining Safety

Following the recent tragedy at a mine in the Ulytau region, a Majilis member has demanded increased safety for miners, Orda.kz reports.

As Deputy Arman Kalykov stated at a Majilis meeting, the increasing number of incidents at Kazakhmys enterprises requires reorganizing the industrial safety system.

As a result of constant transformations, state institutions controlling safety issues at hazardous production facilities were abolished. Due to the constant reform of this system, we lost an entire state control branch, including specialists and inspectors of the highest level. 10 years ago, the only republican scientific institute on industrial safety issues was liquidated. In fact, the scientific and methodological base in the field of technogenic safety was destroyed, Kalykov emphasized.

Information about a possible gas explosion, which should not happen at a copper mine, indicates safety violations, the deputy believes.

The question arises: why does one of the best and most profitable enterprises continue to bring in high profits, but for years does not provide the required level of labor safety?! Such man-made accidents are repeated annually and continue to occur in mines, shafts and oil fields of our country. This indicates and more than proves the importance and necessity of state industrial safety institutions.

The Majilis member proposes:

• Create a separate government agency for industrial safety, reporting directly to the Prime Minister
• Improve the system of life and health insurance for workers in hazardous industries
• Check mine ventilation systems for compliance with regulations
• Provide funding for the modernization of equipment and technologies at mining enterprises

On Monday, February 17, a rock collapse occurred at the Zhomart mine, owned by the Kazakhmys corporation.

It claimed the lives of 7 miners.

According to preliminary data, the cause was a natural gas explosion. A criminal case has been opened under the article on violating safety regulations.

Original Author: Aliya Askarova