The Karagužikha river in the East Kazakhstan Region has turned an unusual "orange" colour due to mine water entering it from the territory of the former Yubileyno-Snegirikhinsky mine, owned by Vostoktsvetmet LLP. On 31 July 2026, specialists carried out an unscheduled inspection at the site.
WHAT THE INSPECTION FOUND
According to the East Kazakhstan Region Ecology Department, the inspection revealed inadequate organisation of the mine decommissioning work. Numerous discharges of mine water, seeping to the surface from underground, were found on the site.
The accumulated water flowed into a stream on the mine's territory, and then into the Karagužikha river. According to ecologists, this led to changes in the qualitative and chemical indicators of the water and disrupted the natural hydrochemical regime of the water body.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SOIL
The consequences of the identified pollution affected more than just the river. The Ecology Department reported that pollutants contained in the mine water penetrated the soil cover and altered its chemical composition.
The inspection also established a threat of further spread of pollutants downstream. It is noted that this is linked to the deterioration of the environment and significant ecological damage.
HOW KAZ MINERALS IS LINKED TO THE MINE
According to Ulysmedia.kz, the former Yubileyno-Snegirikhinsky mine belongs to Vostoktsvetmet LLP, which is part of the KAZ Minerals group. The group's ultimate owners and major beneficiaries are Vladimir Kim and Oleg Novachuk.
Other incidents, including fatal ones, have also occurred at KAZ Minerals group enterprises in recent months.
On 8 August, at the Orlovsky mine in the Abai region, smoke appeared near a drilling rig, after which night shift workers were evacuated. No one was injured.
On 9 August, a fire broke out at the processing plant of the Aktogay deposit. 20 people were evacuated from the site.
On 27 April, at the Orlovsky mine in the Abai region, a company employee died as a result of a collapse of rock mass. Another worker was injured and remains under medical supervision. A pre-trial investigation was launched into the incident.
Two workers from a contractor organisation died on 22 April in the village of Saumalkol in the Aiyrtau district of the North Kazakhstan Region. The tragedy occurred during work at a sewage pumping station.
On 20 March, at a KAZ Minerals mine in the Abai region, a gas release occurred, resulting in the death of one worker. The incident also led to the hospitalisation of two more people, and a criminal case was opened into the matter.