Deadly accident in an ArcelorMittal mine in Kazakhstan: the Kazakh government ends cooperation with the steel giant
Kazakhstan was the scene of a new tragic accident in a mine belonging to the ArcelorMittal group. At least 32 miners lost their lives in this disaster, while 14 others are still missing. Faced with this situation, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokaïev announced the end of cooperation with ArcelorMittal and the nationalization of its local subsidiary.
The authorities immediately reacted to the news of the accident, ordering to “end investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau.” The Kazakh government also wants to regain control of the local subsidiary of the steel giant. This accident is considered one of the worst in the history of the Central Asian country.
The Kostenko mine, where the tragedy took place, is located near the town of Karaganda, in the central region of Kazakhstan. The causes of the accident have not yet been clarified. This is the second fatal accident in two months on an ArcelorMittal site, after the death of five miners last August in the same region.
The Kazakh government, which denounces the systemic nature of the accidents involving the group, has decided to end its cooperation with ArcelorMittal. The company currently operates around fifteen factories and mines in this polluted industrial zone of Kazakhstan, rich in natural resources.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also announced the creation of a commission of inquiry to shed light on the circumstances of the accident. Mining accidents are relatively common in the countries of the former Soviet Union, due to aging installations and lack of safety.
Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, is blessed with numerous natural resources such as oil, gas, uranium, manganese, iron, chrome and coal. However, it is essential to ensure safe working conditions for workers in the mining sector to avoid further tragedies.