Kazakhstan is once again shaken by a tragic accident in the mining industry. At least 32 people lost their lives in an ArcelorMittal group mine, making this incident one of the deadliest in the country’s history. In response to this tragedy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev decided to end cooperation with ArcelorMittal and announced the nationalization of its local subsidiary.
This new accident, which occurred in the Kostenko mine, not far from the town of Karaganda, once again raises questions about the obsolescence of the installations and the lack of safety in the Kazakh mining industry. Indeed, this is the second fatal accident in two months on an ArcelorMittal site, and the worst since 2006, when the group was already involved in another mining disaster which cost the lives of 41 miners.
Faced with this recurring tragedy, the Kazakh government decided to regain control of the local subsidiary of ArcelorMittal. The move marks a turning point in the country’s relationship with the global steel giant, which entered the Kazakh market after the collapse of the Soviet Union. President Tokayev also announced the creation of a commission of inquiry to shed light on the causes of this accident.
In recent months, the Kazakh government has expressed concern about the numerous accidents involving ArcelorMittal, which are estimated to have cost the lives of more than a hundred people since 2006. This series of incidents highlights the systemic nature of safety at the group’s facilities. , as well as laxity in risk prevention.
Kazakhstan, as the largest economy in Central Asia and rich in natural resources, has many factories and mines operated by ArcelorMittal. However, this cooperation now seems compromised with the decision to nationalize the group’s local subsidiary.
This tragic accident once again serves as a reminder of the crucial importance of safety in the mining industry. Countries of the former Soviet Union regularly face mining accidents due to dilapidated facilities and lack of strict safety standards. It is therefore essential that companies invest in modernizing infrastructure and pay particular attention to the protection of their workers.
In conclusion, Kazakhstan is experiencing a new tragedy in the mining sector with the fatal accident in an ArcelorMittal mine. President Tokayev’s response to end cooperation with the group and nationalize its local subsidiary marks a turning point in relations between the country and the steel giant. This series of accidents highlights the need to improve safety standards in the mining industry to prevent further tragedies.