Under the ecological lens

Rosprirodnadzor is looking into the activities of the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Smelter

Rosprirodnadzor, which, at the instigation of an ardent environmentalist, deputy head of the department Oleg Mitvol, has recently concentrated on inspections of metallurgical enterprises, does not seem to intend to stop after his expected resignation . As a source in the department told Vremya Novostey yesterday, Rosprirodnadzor may conduct an environmental audit of the activities of the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Smelter (KrAZ), part of Oleg Deripaska’s RUSAL. “Currently, the issue of conducting a comprehensive environmental audit at KrAZ is being considered. The decision to check can be made in the very near future,” the newspaper’s source said. He chose not to specify how it could threaten KrAZ.

The inspection, as reported by RIA Novosti sources, will be carried out based on a complaint from residents of the villages of Korkino and Peschanka, located next to KrAZ, about the toxic emissions of the enterprise. RUSAL told Vremya Novostey yesterday that Korkino was resettled back in 2003, and more recently, in May of this year, the plant was already inspected by Rostekhnadzor (like Rosprirodnadzor, it is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources).

However, the Krasnoyarsk court is currently considering a lawsuit from the environmental prosecutor's office against KrAZ regarding the protracted construction of modern treatment facilities. A laboratory analysis of water samples carried out by independent ecologists showed multiple excesses of the maximum permissible concentration of heavy metals and fluorides in the area where the plant is located.

RUSAL told Vremya Novostey yesterday: “Inspections of environmental structures are carried out at the enterprise regularly. In May 2008, Rostekhnadzor completed a planned targeted comprehensive inspection of KrAZ, following which the enterprise is implementing an action plan to eliminate the comments received. In 2008, RUSAL completes the first stage of environmental modernization of KrAZ; in November 2008, the construction of a post-treatment station for industrial storm water will be completed. The company’s investments in the plant’s environmental modernization project, which began in 2004 and will be completed in 2008, amounted to more than $300 million.”

It must be said that Rosprirodnadzor previously exposed such companies as Norilsk Nickel, Euro-Asian Energy Company (part of the Evraz Group), Izhstal (part of the Mechel group) and other enterprises of violating environmental legislation. The department even managed to sue Norilsk Nickel.

However, as Mr. Mitvol previously noted, the department’s task is “not just to fine an enterprise, but, using incentive mechanisms and economic measures, to motivate the company to spend part of its profits on modernizing treatment facilities and bringing the level of industrial emissions to global environmental standards.” “Many enterprises save on wastewater treatment plants. This, to put it mildly, is unfair to people living near such enterprises. Creating mechanisms to encourage enterprises to implement environmental programs is one of our priorities for the near future,” he said.

Irina TSYRULEVA