Kazakhstani authorities blame ArcelorMittal Temirtau in deadly fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine
According to Emergency Minister Syrym Sharipkhanov, the employer is 100% guilty in the case of the fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine.
What happened? On September 18, Minister of Emergency Situations Syrym Sharipkhanov presented the results of the official investigation of the fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine when five miners died.
The lack of production control and non-compliance with safety regulations are the key reasons for the fire, the official said.
Why did the tragedy happen? A fire on a coal conveyor occurred as a result of the conversion of mechanical energy into thermal energy due to the friction of the conveyor track on a jammed conveyor roller. According to the commission, there was no production control on the part of the engineering and technical staff. The panel has also found non-compliance with safety regulations and weak control by the energy mechanical service.
«The third reason is a violation of safety requirements and technical regulations. Namely, the operation of the conveyor track without a certificate of conformity. Last but not least was a high level of dust and gas pollution in the working area caused by combustion products and mining work. As a result, all of this led to the miners’ death,» the minister said.
In addition, the commission identified several violations of labor legislation like an insufficient number of positioning system maintenance specialists and a lack of job descriptions for personnel.
Who is to blame for the tragedy in which five miners died?
«Based on the findings of the commission, it is clear that the tragedy is 100% the employer’s fault. We have also identified 28 individuals who committed violations of the law,» Sharipkhanov said.
Among these persons were three high-ranking officials of the company:
– Deputy CEO for Commercial Affairs Vinit Mohan;
– Logistics Manager Shailendra Pokle; and
– Technical Director of the Coal Department Andrey Bely.
Is the fire over? According to the minister, the fire in the Kazakhstanskaya mine is still ongoing. Due to the severe conditions in the emergency area, the commission has decided to isolate this area.
«Once the emergency rescue operations are completed and the mine meets the requirements, we will decide on whether it is possible to resume mining operations,» the speaker underlined.
The context. On August 17, at 10:05 a.m., the Kazakhstanskaya mine reported a fire on the conveyor track. At the time, there were 227 miners underground. During the rescue operation, 222 people were successfully evacuated through the flank shaft, which is routinely used for lowering and lifting minerals, rocks, materials, equipment and people. However, five miners didn’t make it and died.
The authorities’ reaction. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the cabinet and the administration of the Karaganda region to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident and provide all necessary assistance to the victims. He also doubted that ArcelorMittal Temirtau had a future in Kazakhstan.
Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov also blamed the owners of the mine for the tragedy. As he noted, the company’s top management would be made to take responsibility for the deaths.
Reaction of ArcelorMittal Temirtau. While asked to rate the level of safety at the company’s enterprises on a ten-point scale ArcelorMittal representatives failed to do so. Moreover, despite multiple statements about investments in safety, one of the company’s officials admitted that equipment at AMT enterprises is 50% worn out.
Other scandals related to ArcelorMittal. During ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC’s (AMT) presence in Kazakhstan, the company reported the death of more than a hundred miners. Kazakhstan is not the only country in which ArcelorMittal has had problems. However, the company speculates that the fire at the Kazakhstanskaya mine could have been a result of arson.
