The worsening environmental conditions in Ust-Kamenogorsk have placed metallurgical giant KazZinc under scrutiny, as the General Prosecutor’s Office launches an investigation into the company’s practices. The city, plagued by dense smog in late November, saw over 50,000 schoolchildren shifted to remote learning due to alarming health risks. Environmental experts have tied much of the pollution to KazZinc, responsible for 44% of the city’s industrial emissions.
While KazZinc operates several plants, including zinc, lead, copper, and sulfuric acid production facilities, its activities have led to multiple ecological violations in recent years. Reports detail incidents of excessive sulfur dioxide emissions, polluted wastewater, and even chemical spills affecting local rivers like Bukhtarma and Ulba. Despite investing billions of tenge in modernization efforts, including advanced filtration systems, the company’s measures have proven insufficient against the escalating crisis.
Public discontent continues to grow, as many view the government’s response as inadequate. Ecologists argue that systemic reforms are necessary to hold industrial giants accountable. According to Roman Chesnykh, a member of the Public Council on Ecology, KazZinc’s efforts, though commendable, represent a “drop in the ocean” amidst a complex environmental crisis. The expert further suggests that the city’s overall industrial infrastructure, much of it Soviet-era, requires a complete overhaul to address long-term sustainability.
KazZinc, one of the country’s largest economic contributors, has faced penalties totaling millions of tenge over the years. However, critics claim these fines are insignificant compared to the damage caused, urging stricter regulations and higher penalties. With calls for transparency and greater accountability, the investigation seeks to uncover whether KazZinc has adequately adhered to environmental laws and whether its current policies align with national sustainability goals.
