Construction of a copper plant has begun in Aktobe on the territory of the Special Economic Zone near the airport. The enterprise plans to produce copper rod and cable products, recycling copper scrap.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROJECT
As reported by the newspaper “Aktobe Times”, on 29 July Phoenix Industrial Group LLP published a “Statement of Intended Activities” on the State Environmental Portal. The document contains information on the proposed capacity of the enterprise, emissions, waste and water consumption.
At the first stage, the plant is designed to produce 50 thousand tonnes of products per year, and at the second stage — 100 thousand tonnes. When the foundation stone was laid, local officials cited different figures: 25 thousand tonnes at the first stage and 50 thousand tonnes at the second.
Investment in the project is estimated at $100 million. According to the plans presented, the launch of the enterprise is scheduled for the end of 2027, with an estimated operational lifespan stated until 2127.
WHAT EMISSIONS ARE LISTED IN THE DOCUMENTS
The environmental statement indicates that during operation of the enterprise, annual atmospheric emissions will amount to approximately 490 tonnes. The list includes 34 tonnes of copper oxide, 155 tonnes of nitrogen dioxide, 26 tonnes of nitric oxide, 7 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 121 tonnes of suspended particulates, 9 tonnes of ammonia and 136 tonnes of carbon monoxide.
Separately, the document provides calculations for emissions during the construction period — 1,513 tonnes of substances. The list includes, in particular, compounds of lead, chromium, manganese and nickel, mercury, formaldehyde and sulphur dioxide.
HOW MUCH WASTE AND WATER THE PLANT WILL REQUIRE
According to the document, the production of copper rod and cable could generate at least 6 thousand tonnes of waste annually. Of this, 5 thousand tonnes consists of non-ferrous metal waste and scrap, 500 tonnes of non-ferrous metal shavings, 150 tonnes of municipal solid waste, and 30 tonnes of plastic and polymer materials.
Also declared are 20 tonnes of cable product waste, 10 tonnes of sludge from treatment facilities, 8 tonnes of packaging contaminated with hazardous substances, and 600 kg of mercury-containing waste.
For the construction period, the document provides for the consumption of 140 thousand cubic metres of water. During operation, 8,950 cubic metres per year is stated for domestic and drinking needs, plus a further 5,750 cubic metres for production. For industrial wastewater, the enterprise is required to use treatment facilities, after which, according to the description provided, the water will be discharged into the municipal sewerage system.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE TERRITORY
In 2017, behind Aktobe airport, more than 1 million trees were planted. Part of the planting was intended to form the word “AKTOBE”, visible from the air. According to the publication, 90 million tenge was allocated for these purposes.
However, by 2019 the saplings had died. The reason cited was a lack of funds for watering them.
Now part of the territory where these plantings were planned is being used to accommodate the copper plant.
