Unreclaimed Coal Mines of the Sulyukta Deposit_2
The coal industry is one of the most controversial in terms of profitability and one of the most dangerous regarding its negative impact on the ecology and human health within Kyrgyzstan's fuel and energy complex. Despite the fact that many countries have recently begun to abandon coal in favor of alternative energy sources, thus provoking a decrease in demand and devaluation of this type of fuel, local authorities still consider coal a promising sector of the industry and are taking measures to increase coal production. In the Batken region, more than 300,000 tons of coal are mined annually. However, complex underground operations are often carried out without adherence to safety regulations, and unqualified local residents extract the black gold.
Coal mines and open-pit mines pollute the atmospheric air and water bodies, poison and permanently destroy the genetic profile of the soil, and become sources of a vast amount of hazardous waste and industrial debris. Coal dust, soot, and fine particulate matter released into the atmosphere during coal extraction and transportation can lead to oncological and other diseases of the heart and respiratory system, causing premature deaths of hundreds of people. Official statistics confirm that in coal mining areas, air, water, and soil pollution, as well as high morbidity and mortality rates, are significantly higher than in areas distant from coal enterprises. However, in most cases, authorities and regulatory bodies prefer not to speak about this openly. These plans mean that coal open-pits, which have already expanded over the past decades, will continue to grow. Open-pit coal mining permanently alters the landscape. Authorities and businesses often talk about land reclamation, but this is a lengthy process. Recently conducted environmental monitoring in the licensed area of coal mining enterprises, specifically in the Kokine-Sai sections, 8th and 11th fields, showed that…
Dumping sites are arranged spontaneously. There are no containers for household waste.
Everywhere in the coal mining areas and adjacent urban territories, landslide phenomena are observed.
There are swampy areas resulting from the extraction of groundwater.
Pits for temporary storage of extracted coal are abandoned and require reclamation work.
Technological roads in some areas do not meet road safety requirements, and warning road signs for vehicle drivers are not installed.
Drainage ditches have not been built around the mines.
No permits have been obtained from coal mining companies for the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere or for waste disposal.
It should be noted that one of the oldest coal open-pits in the country is located in Sulyukta. Coal extraction here began in 1868.
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