ALROSA Committed to Environmental Protection. The Russian mining giant ALROSA will expend about RUB 30 billion (around US$466 million) over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, for environmental protection. The spending for 2019 has been budgeted at RUB 6 billion.
“Last year, ALROSA’s Integrated Environmental Protection Program for 2011-2018 expired,” said Polina Anisimova, Head of ALROSA Environmental Center. “This year, the Environmental Center presented the expanded programme for 2019-2023. ALROSA will strengthen measures to protect the environment and ensure environmental safety in Yakutia.”
The programme envisages the protection of the environment from noise, vibration and other types of physical pollution. It also provides for ensuring the protection of the environment from the impact of radiation; and for the reduction of the negative impact on climate change.
ALROSA has been organising the collection and treatment of wastewater as part of its water bodies’ protection programme. Measures are also taken for the protection of surface and groundwater. “Starting from the current year, the production control programme includes studies of the wastewater quality at all industrial sites connected to centralised sewerage systems,” the Company said.
ALROSAplans to make arrangements for the disposal and neutralisation of hazardous waste through third-party agreements. “This will help to create a one-size-fits-all approach to the safe management of waste,” the Company stated.
It also intends to eliminate waste in secondary energy resources, which is expected to have a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the economy.
For these social and ecological measures, agreements will be signed with the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the National Fund “Bargary (Revival)”, the Directorate of Biological Resources and Specially Protected Natural Territories of the Ministry of Environment of Yakutia.
ALROSA reiterated its commitment to support the unique Living Diamonds of Yakutia natural park and to expand the list of fish species for stocking the Yakut rivers.
The Company also said it will “continue to organise contests, promotions, excursions, and other activities to promote environmental protection and ensure environmental safety”.
