The FBRK editorial team continues to investigate the situation regarding mineral extraction along the Ishim River. Our focus is on companies and individuals whose activities may be linked to environmental changes near the capital's most important water body.
Among the most prominent participants in industrial activity on the Ishim River is SG Peschany Karrier LLP, which leases a plot just 43 metres from the water body for the extraction of construction sand. According to satellite data, the extraction area amounts to approximately 100,000 sq m. Of particular interest is the fact that the company's founder is Gabit Satmagambetov, a former deputy of the Astana maslikhat, whom we covered in the first part of our investigation.
Over 17 years on the market, the company has changed its composition of founders several times. In 2007, when the company was first registered, its founder and director was Galiya Turakhmetova — the wife of Aliakpar Matishev, chairman of the Public Association 'National Society for Consumer Protection 'SAPA', who previously held the posts of chairman of the anti-monopoly agency and chairman of the consumer protection committee of the Ministry of National Economy.
In 2014, Gabit Satmagambetov took over the management of the company, and along with him, Vladimir Negodyuk, previously associated with the Russian companies Femida Legal Bureau LLC and Favoritstroy LLC, joined the founders. Among the founders was also once listed Askar Baltabayev — Managing Director for Procurement and Risk at Samruk-Energy JSC. According to data from the kompra.kz service, since the start of its activities, SG Peschany Karrier LLP has paid approximately 212 million tenge in taxes to the budget.
Another significant market participant is KazShpal JSC, operating since 1994. Notably, in 2021, among the company's founders was Amangali Aubakirov, who, according to open-source data, works as the head of the Centre for Scientific Organisation and Management at Aluminium of Kazakhstan JSC. This joint-stock company is part of Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), a large international mining and metals company, 40% of whose shares are owned by the Ministry of Finance.
The main shareholder of KazShpal JSC is currently Kulyash Nazarova, holding 90% of the shares. Around 9% belongs to Promko A LLP, led by Askar Nazarov. KazShpal JSC, in turn, acts as a founder of two companies — Sensembay LLP and Kanadyr LLP, which specialise in operating gravel and sand quarries.
It is interesting to note that the plot once belonging to KazShpal JSC for construction sand extraction near the Ishim River was classified as industrial and other non-agricultural land. According to address records, work on this plot was carried out by Sensembay LLP, under the management of Petr Platonov. It appears that the plot was liquidated in 2023.
Active operations near the Ishim are also conducted by Zhanel MM LLP, which has been on the market since 2002. The company extracts construction and decorative stone, as well as engaging in concrete production. According to available data, the company's concrete plant is also located near the river. Zhanel MM LLP is managed by Balgabay Kaskyrbayev. Its founder is Wheelset Factory Kazakhstan LLP — an enterprise specialising in the production and assembly of wheelsets for railway transport. During its time in operation, Zhanel MM LLP has paid over 179 million tenge in taxes to the budget.
Approximately 0.4 km from the river lies a plot intended for the construction and maintenance of a brick factory. It is leased by LK-KZ LLP, which specialises in the production of bricks, tiles, and other construction products from fired clay. The company has been on the market since 2006 and during this period has paid approximately 260 million tenge into the budget. The company is managed by Kyzyr Kapas.
The owner of two further plots in the immediate vicinity of the Ishim is Kvarts Astana Plyus LLP, which has been involved in developing gravel and sand quarries since 2016. These plots also fall under the category of industrial land and are intended for combined exploration and extraction of construction sand. Over its existence, the company has paid approximately 119 million tenge to the budget. The manager and one of the founders of the company is Sergey Nikitenko, who was previously listed among the founders of Vector NS LLP, also engaged in quarry development.
Analysing the information obtained, one can (and, in essence, must) raise a number of questions. For example, does the activity of these companies comply with the requirements of environmental legislation? Are the necessary measures to protect the Ishim River taken into account when issuing permits for industrial activity near the water body? Is the control exercised by authorised bodies over compliance with environmental protection requirements sufficient?
Of particular concern is the fact that many plots are located in the immediate vicinity of the river — the main source of drinking water for the capital. The extraction of sand and other construction materials near water bodies can lead to changes in the hydrological regime, waterlogging of territories, and water pollution. This is what we can observe today.
The FBRK editorial team once again appeals to the chairman of the Land Resources Management Committee, Murat Temirzhanov, with a request to pay attention to the identified facts and consider the issue of conducting an inspection of the compliance of current activities on these plots with legal requirements.
We also address the Minister of Ecology, Yerlan Nysanbayev, with a question: how could a situation arise where large-scale industrial activity is conducted in the immediate vicinity of the capital's main source of drinking water? Why are environmental services not sounding the alarm about the obvious changes in the ecosystem of the Ishim River?
A particular question is directed at the Minister of Water Resources, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov: how is the monitoring of the condition of the Ishim River carried out? How can the reasons for the unpleasant smell of water from the taps and the formation of swamps along the river be explained to the capital's residents?
After all, in accordance with current legislation, it is the Ministry of Water Resources that bears direct responsibility for the protection of water bodies, including the Ishim River, and for ensuring compliance with the regime of water protection zones. A logical question arises: why, given such clear duties and powers, does the ministry, apparently, not take appropriate measures to protect the capital's main water artery from negative industrial impact?