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Environmental Protection Section

Environmental protection in JV «SMCC» LLP consists of compliance with the necessary measures aimed at ensuring favorable and safe conditions for human life. The most important environmental factors in production are atmospheric air, water, and soil. Environmental protection provides for the conservation and restoration of natural resources, in order to prevent direct and indirect negative impact of the results of the company's activities on nature and human health.

The company's activities in the field of environmental protection are carried out on the basis of the requirements of the Environmental Code and compliance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Environmental management

In the course of its production activities, the Partnership’s management recognizes its responsibility to the public and its employees for protecting health, ensuring environmental safety, and preserving the natural environment in the areas where production operations are carried out. The Partnership's production activities are conducted in compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and applicable permitting documentation. From the standpoint of environmental impact, the Partnership has developed and approved an Environmental Management System Policy and a Procedure for Identifying and Assessing Environmental Aspects. Specialists from the Partnership’s structural units are involved in the identification of environmental aspects, and the results of the identification are documented in the Environmental Aspects Register. Oversight of the maintenance and functioning of the environmental management system certification is carried out by the Quality and Standardization Department. The Environmental Management System of JV «SMCC» LLP is certified for compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001.

In order to conduct regular comprehensive assessments of the impact of production activities on environmental objects, local communities, and to organize interaction with stakeholders, the Partnership has developed a number of internal regulatory documents. These documents make it possible to ensure the gradual reduction of industrial impact on the environment, including effective waste management, water and land resources management, preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, contribution to the socio-economic well-being of the regions, and implementation of a risk-based approach to identify, prevent, and mitigate actual and potential adverse effects of production activities on environmental objects and local communities.

Environmental risk management at the Partnership is carried out in accordance with the established priorities based on risk categories. In order to prevent and minimize risks, regular monitoring and risk analysis activities are conducted at production sites, aimed at ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and identifying the causes of potential non-conformities. Systematic inspections of pipeline integrity are carried out, technical inspections of ventilation systems are conducted, timely maintenance of mini-boiler houses is performed, and special attention is paid to the technological process of wastewater treatment and monitoring of the quality of wastewater after biological treatment. As part of the Partnership’s adherence to ESG sustainable development principles, climate-related risks have been included in the risk register of JV «SMCC» LLP for the year 2025.

Environmental impact

Atmospheric air.

In the course of production activities for uranium mining at the mines, the method of underground borehole leaching (UBL) is used, followed by processing of technological solutions and obtaining the final product in the form of uranium dioxide. The UBL method is the most environmentally friendly way of uranium mining and processing. Compared to other industries, uranium mining using the UBL method does not have a "significant" impact on the atmosphere. The underground borehole leaching technology is based on the movement of process solutions through sealed pipelines, the use of submersible pumps that prevent pollutants from entering the atmosphere. Emissions into the environment from the main production are minimal. The main part of emissions comes from auxiliary production (heating of premises, transport).
Emissions into the atmospheric air are regulated by the draft standards of permissible emissions, for which a conclusion of the state environmental expertise has been obtained and an environmental impact permit has been issued for category I facilities.

On a quarterly basis, industrial environmental monitoring is carried out at the production facilities of JV «SMCC» LLP at stationary emission sources. Based on the results of measurements, the contractor draws up measurement protocols indicating the actual emissions in comparison with the maximum permissible emissions.

According to the approved schedules, planned preventive maintenance and servicing of ventilation systems are carried out at the mines, as well as servicing of mini-boiler houses with timely replacement of filters and spare parts.

To reduce emissions into the atmospheric air, the company’s vehicles undergo timely technical inspection and maintenance.

A comparative analysis with the results of the corresponding previous year shows a 2.91% reduction in pollutant emissions into the atmosphere at the company. The decrease in pollutant emissions in 2024 is due to the optimization of technological processes and the reduction in operating time of mini-boiler houses caused by the warming climate in the region.

Environmental Indicators

Water resources

Groundwater intake for mines is carried out on the basis of permits for special water use issued by the Shu-Talas Basin Inspectorate for the Regulation of the Use and Protection of Water Resources. Wastewater discharge is carried out on the basis of draft standards for permissible discharges that have passed the state environmental assessment, on the basis of which permits for emissions into the environment have been issued. Also, during the study of water samples, monitoring is carried out in accordance with ST NAC 17.4 "Methodological guidelines for the organization of monitoring the effects of UBL on groundwater and groundwater of uranium deposits." On a quarterly basis, studies of water from household wells are carried out.

Household wastewater generated at the mines is sent to biological wastewater treatment plants. The operation of biological treatment plants is monitored on an ongoing basis. Wastewater samples are taken quarterly before and after treatment to investigate and verify the effectiveness of biological treatment plants. The wastewater that enters the treatment undergoes primary mechanical treatment and then biological treatment. Purified water accumulates in a storage pond.

In the comparative analysis with the results of the previous year, the efficiency of wastewater treatment shows a 0.89% reduction in the formation of pollutants. The decrease in pollutant formation was influenced by the work carried out on the replacement of clarifying filters.

Land resources

Waste management is carried out on the basis of the Environmental Code No. 400-VI of 02.01.2021, "Rules for the accounting of production and consumption waste" No. 312 of 11.07.2016, "Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for the collection, use, application, neutralization, transportation, storage and disposal of production and consumption waste" No. 331/2020 of 25.12.2020. For the production activities of the mines, materials are purchased in the form of polyethylene pipes, submersible pumps, protective casings, ammonium nitrate, stainless steel pipework, flow meters, pressure gauges, and pump control cabinets. The waste generated by the use of the above materials is not hazardous.

The service life of these materials varies from 5 to 10 years, except for submersible pumps, which may fail after 2 years of operation. Materials are reused after their useful life, according to internal documents. Radioactive waste can also be generated when using materials. The generated radioactive waste is sent for burial/disposal under an agreement with a specialized contractor. In a comparative analysis with the results of the previous year, there is a slight increase in waste generation. This fact is due to the ongoing work on major repairs at the production sites of the mines for the replacement and dismantling of equipment.

Waste Management

Climate change

To date, within the framework of the current state policy in the field of environmental safety, the Strategy for achieving Carbon Neutrality of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2060 has been approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main goal of the Strategy is to achieve sustainable development of Kazakhstan's economy to climate change and carbon neutrality by 2060.

Within the framework of the approved Strategy, measures are being taken in JSC "NAC "Kazatomprom" to achieve carbon neutrality, since the fundamental principles of the Policy of JSC "NAC "Kazatomprom" in the field of occupational safety, environmental protection, nuclear and radiation safety are the priority of human health and environmental safety in relation to the result of production activities.

In this regard, the Partnership has developed an Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the period from 2023 to 2030.

Analyzing the dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions over 5 years starting from 2022, a decrease in emissions is observed.

Biodiversity

To assess the environmental and local community impacts of the production activities of JV «SMCC» LLP, to identify impact pathways and risks, and to improve the Partnership’s operations in accordance with ESG principles, scientific research on biodiversity as well as ecological and social studies have been conducted for the first time during the period from 2020 to 2024.

Between 2020 and 2021, biodiversity studies were carried out for the first time at the production sites. Given the importance of biodiversity conservation, the Partnership has set the goal of regular monitoring of the flora and fauna every three years. Data obtained from the study of flora and fauna are entered into a geographic information system (GIS) database and updated following each research cycle. The GIS database was developed using MapInfo Professional software and contains results of environmental studies, including thematic maps, laboratory analysis results of environmental samples (soil, water, atmospheric precipitation); biodiversity status assessments; and maps of anthropogenic disturbance of soil and vegetation cover. In 2023, the Partnership implemented the Standard ST NAK 17.6 “Environmental Protection Standards System. Methodological Guidelines for Biodiversity Assessment at Uranium Deposits, Production Facilities, and Adjacent Areas.” Since 2023, the production sites of LLP “SP YUGHK” have been maintaining a Register of rare and specially protected species of flora. Analysis of the dynamics of environmental study data from 2021 to 2024 concluded that the ecological situation remains stable both in the background areas and in nearby settlements. To facilitate communication with stakeholders regarding the local flora and fauna, the Partnership has developed illustrated booklets titled “Dangerous (Poisonous) Plants and Animals Found in the South Inkay Mine Area,” “Red Book Animals and Plants Found in the South Inkay Mine Area,” and “Environmental Responsibility and Care for the Local Community”. Further studies and biodiversity monitoring are planned for 2025.

Environmental and social communications

The Partnership has established, by order of the General Director, the Procedure for the “Stakeholder Engagement Plan” and the Procedure for “Exchange of Environmental Information and Complaint Handling Mechanism” to facilitate interaction with stakeholders. Annually, the Partnership’s production sites participate in the environmental campaign “Earth Hour” and organize events dedicated to World Environment Day (WED). These activities aim to foster a positive environmental culture and raise employee awareness of environmental issues at JV «SMCC» LLP production sites. Within the framework of WED, events are organized to engage with stakeholders. To strengthen stakeholder interaction, the management and specialists of the “Akdala” mine held an educational “Environmental Hour” at the school named after L. Bokenov in the village of Kyzemshek under the motto “Earth Is Our Common Home!” During the event, students were engaged in a discussion on the importance of careful attitude towards nature and examined environmental problems in Kazakhstan. Elementary school students recited poems dedicated to ecology and expressed their visions for environmental protection through drawings. Older students participated in a discussion on the causes of Kazakhstan’s environmental problems and possible solutions. At the “South Inkay” mine site, management and specialists organized a visit for the children of mine workers accompanied by their parents. A contest titled “Best Environmental Protection Expert” was held for the children. All students participating in the Environmental Hour received commemorative gifts. An article titled “Жер – біздің ортақ үйіміз” (“Earth Is Our Common Home”) was published in the SOZAQ UNI newspaper on June 15, 2024. Additionally, information about the World Environment Day events at JV «SMCC» LLP” is available in the Company’s news and media digest. To raise awareness among production site specialists and stakeholders on radiation safety and proper waste handling, the mine safety sector specialists conducted lectures on the management, sorting, and disposal of radioactive waste. Lectures on “Radiophobia and Radiation Safety” and “Radioactive Waste Disposal” were held for students and teachers at schools named after T. Mombekov and L. Bokenov. An article titled “Түсіндіру жұмыстарын жүргізді” (“Conducted Awareness Activities”) was published in issue No. 90 of the local SOZAQ UNI newspaper on December 7, 2024.