Illegal gold mining was stopped in the East Kazakhstan Region (EKR). According to the investigation, a group of people was carrying out work without the relevant permits in the Markakol District near the village of Akbulak.
WHAT HAPPENED
The Department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) for the EKR, together with the Department of the National Security Committee (NSC) and the specialised environmental prosecutor's office, stopped the activities of a group of people who, according to the investigation, were illegally mining gold without the necessary permits.
WHAT DAMAGE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED
As a result of the mining and processing of gold-bearing ore, significant damage has been caused to the environment. It is reported that the fertile soil layer was destroyed and degraded, the natural terrain was disturbed, and the riverbed was altered.
It is also reported that work was carried out on a site of 30 hectares using heavy machinery and industrial complexes.
More than 30 workers were involved in the illegal activity, including citizens of the PRC.
WHAT WAS SEIZED DURING THE SEARCHES
During the searches, six 40-tonne dump trucks, four tracked excavators, a front loader, and two industrial complexes for extracting and washing gold-bearing ore were seized.
The investigation is ongoing. Other information is not disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
