Residents of the Turkestan Region are demanding that 900 hectares of land, which has subsided due to a mine, be declared an emergency zone.
According to Informburo.kz, they believe the land is now dangerous for people and livestock. It is reported that lead and zinc were once mined in the area. Today, the disused mine is filled with water.
People said they have been trying for 12 years to have the area reclassified as an ecological zone.
"How many times have we appealed to both the regional akimat and the city akimat. The ground surface is sinking and collapsing; it needs to be fenced off to prevent people and animals from falling in," said Bakhtiyar Gafurov, a resident of Kentau.
It has become known that the area contains several residential buildings, a health centre, a non-ferrous metal processing plant, and a water collection and treatment facility.
"We are working in two directions. The first direction is the issue of including the 900 hectares in an ecological zone, jointly with the Ministry of Ecology. Secondly, the Ministry of Social Protection will make changes to the law to include Kentau and four villages. These are Khantagy, Karnak, Ashchysay, Bayaldyr and Kentau," commented Galymzhan Tolepov, Deputy Akim of Kentau.
People fear that if the area is not fenced off, a tragedy similar to the one in Maikain could recur.
For context, on 4 January, near the Maikain mine, a bus carrying four mine rescue workers fell into a 150-metre-deep stope void. Later, information emerged about the discovery of two bodies. The bodies of rescuer Aidos Shaimerden and driver Aiyp Tleubergenov were only found in the summer.
Furthermore, it became known that the court heard the case concerning the tragedy at the Maikainzoloto mine. The commission which conducted the investigation concluded that the fault lies entirely with the employer.
Additionally, later, the daughter of rescuer Oleg Tyshkevich, who died at the mine, Yana Osolodkova, reported the loss of personal belongings from her father's personal locker. It was reported that the Tyshkevich family is suing the employer. They are demanding not only clarification of the circumstances of the disappearance but also real support.