Recently, complaints from the population of Zhitikarа about the negative impact of the «Silt Mountain» have become more frequent.
The Dzhetygara technogenic mineral formation, popularly called «Silt Mountain», was formed as a result of 50-year (1911-1961) exploitation by the Dzhetygara-Gold trust of the Zhetygara gold-sulfide-quartz deposit and is represented by waste from a gold recovery factory containing heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, etc.)
Technogenic mineral formation was preserved in the 70s of the last century in the form of a sarcophagus by soil in order to avoid environmental pollution. As a result of the influence of various factors (wind erosion, precipitation), this sarcophagus is being destroyed.
In order to study the impact of the «Silt Mountain» on environmental components, funds have been allocated from the regional budget. The State Institution «Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management of the Akimat of Kostanay region» concluded an agreement in the amount of 19,269.07 thousand tenge with LLP «NPC Ecoresurs» to monitor the environmental impact of the technogenic mineral formation "Silt Mountain".
According to experts, this work should be carried out throughout the year, taking into account all seasons. The completion of the work is scheduled for December 1, 2023.
To study the impact, it is planned to drill 7 observational hydrogeological wells, take and study samples: atmospheric air (68 pieces), soil (113 samples), vegetation (44 samples), surface water from the Shortandy River (39 samples), groundwater (80 samples), bottom sediments (3 samples).
Work on environmental monitoring has already begun. Currently, 7 observation wells have been drilled to monitor groundwater, soil and vegetation samples have been taken in full for research in order to determine the presence of pollutants in environmental components. Atmospheric air, surface and underground water samples are taken.
Based on the monitoring results, a report will be provided with an assessment of the extent of pollution by mercury and related metals-toxicants on the environment (atmospheric air, soil, vegetation, bottom sediments, underground and surface waters) and recommendations for specific environmental measures to eliminate negative environmental impacts, which will be used for planning and carrying out work in the future. at the Silt Mountain facility.