OREANDA-NEWS. November 10, 2010. Group Kazakhmys has begun recultivation of a waste depository on Zhezkazgan production site, which is part of a comprehensive programme of waste depository redevelopment costing over KZT1.0 bn., reported the press-centre of KASE.

The waste depository will undergo a series of rehabilitating measures, including biological recultivation and filling with rock, which will help substantially reduce the amount of dust and will have a positive impact on the environmental situation in the region. In 2009 the company conducted a preparatory recultivation and drainage of the land.

The waste depository's entire surface (up to 1,000 ha) has been divided in two fields which are being filled with 0.3 m thick rock. The eastern part of the waste depository being exposed to weather conditions the most, will be covered with vegetation, by planting grass on it. The biological recultivation will create sustainable vegetation capable of rebuilding itself over time.

The job will be performed by a sub-contractor, who has previously taken part in similar projects implemented by Kazakhmys on other production sites. The project employs around 100 specialists and workers, more than 40 units of special and auxiliary equipment. An accredited dust-and-gas laboratory will monitor the progress of recultivation.

Kazakhmys implements a large-scale environment-protection programme to reduce the pollution levels in Zhezkazgan region, with the waste depository recultivation being an important part thereof. In the past 9 months the Company's Copper division has spent more than KZT3.0 bn on environment protection, says E. Ogay, CEO of Corporation Kazakhmys.