Kazchrome’s deepest mine suspends operations after incident

A hydrogen gas release caused a fire on May 26 at the Bolashak mine in Kazakhstan’s Aktobe region, forcing a suspension of operations. The mine is part of the Donskoy Ore Mining and Processing Plant, operated by Kazchrome, one of the country’s leading chromium ore producers and a major global supplier of ferroalloys.

Three on-duty electrical fitters suffered burns to their faces and hands. All three were hospitalized in Khromtau, with two in intensive care in serious condition, and the third in moderate condition in the trauma department, according to the Diapazon.kz news portal.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that Vice Minister Serik Tulenbergenov and Kengirbai Yesseneyev, deputy chairman of the Industrial Safety Committee, traveled to the region following the incident.

The officials met with company management and government representatives. Tulenbergenov also visited the injured workers at the hospital. A commission, chaired by Yesseneyev, has been formed to investigate the accident.

«The commission will determine the circumstances and causes of the incident,» the ministry said in a statement. «Due to repeated hydrogen emissions and to ensure worker safety, a decision was made to suspend all operations at the mine temporarily.»

The ministry also said research institutes should be involved in studying hydrogen emissions and other associated gases and assess their impact on workplace safety.

Local police have launched a pre-trial investigation under a provision of the Criminal Code related to violations of safety regulations in mining or construction work that result in serious or moderate harm.