In the Kostanay Region, an investigation into a criminal case on illegal subsoil use and unauthorised extraction of minerals has been completed. According to the investigation, industrial extraction of river sand was carried out outside the subsoil plot provided by the state. The criminal case has been sent to court.
WHAT THE INVESTIGATION FOUND
The investigation was conducted by the department of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) in the Kostanay Region. According to the investigation, the head of STS-Cement LLP organised the industrial extraction of river sand from the bed and shoreline of the Tobol River outside the subsoil plot provided by the state.
The investigation claims that the work was carried out using a hydromechanised method with two dredgers, which extracted material directly from the riverbed.
WHAT VOLUME OF EXTRACTION IS INDICATED IN THE CASE FILES
The total volume of sand sold exceeded 113 thousand cubic metres, with its value amounting to 719 million tenge.
It is noted that the work caused environmental damage to water and land resources. According to the investigation, the course of the Tobol River changed, the shoreline was destroyed, the hydrological regime was disrupted, and areas of waterlogging formed.
WHAT CONSEQUENCES ARE LISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION
According to satellite imagery, the area of damaged water fund lands exceeded 28 thousand square metres.
As reported by the AFM, restoring the natural complex will require bank reinforcement work, riverbed cleaning, and reclamation of the damaged lands.
WHAT PROCEDURAL DECISION WAS MADE
By court authorisation, the suspect's property has been seized. The seizure included 12 vehicles, 10 land plots, and a non-residential premises.
The criminal case has been sent to court. No further information is disclosed in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
