The incident, believed to have been triggered by a methane blast, led to the evacuation of 206 individuals out of the 252 present. Eighteen individuals required medical attention, while 21 remained unaccounted for as of 2 p.m. local time.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and declared a national day of mourning on October 29. In response to the incident, President Tokayev ordered an immediate cessation of investment cooperation with ArcelorMittal Temirtau and directed the government to expedite the process of nationalizing the company, which manages the largest steel mill in the country.
ArcelorMittal Temirtau and the government of Kazakhstan have confirmed ongoing discussions about the future of the company. Both parties have reportedly signed a preliminary agreement for a transaction that involves transferring ownership to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The company has pledged commitment to swiftly finalize the transaction to minimize disruption.
This tragic event follows a series of other incidents in ArcelorMittal Temirtau's mines, including a fire at the Karaganda coal mine in August 2023, where four miners lost their lives, and a methane gas leak at the Shakhtinskaya coal mine in November 2022, claiming the lives of five miners and hospitalizing four others.
These incidents have sparked concerns regarding safety standards and working conditions at the company's mines in Kazakhstan, prompting criticism from various quarters, including labor unions, human rights groups, and environmental activists.
President Tokayev has assured the victims' families of financial support and halted further cooperation with ArcelorMittal. The move towards nationalization underscores the government's commitment to address safety and operational concerns within the country's mining industry. (ILKHA)