This recondite but bringing serious harm to Baikal problem could
be successfully solved because in December 2007 government
enterprise "Senior management of state expertise" (the
Glavgosekspertiza) gave a negative assurance regarding the draft
feasibility report of the first stage of the development of the
Kholodninskoe deposit.
Greenpeace Russia in this Letter highlights: the main action for
solving the problem and preventing the appearance of such dangerous
projects in the future is a prohibition of introducing changes to
the List of activities which are prohibited in the CEZ of BNT,
which could allow the development of Kholodninskoe deposit in the
future.
Kholodninskoe deposit situates in the north-west of Baikal in
the Republic of Buryatia. According to the certain data there are
over 34 million tons of lead and zinc in the massifs situated on
the banks of Holodnaya river. These unique polymetall deposits were
discovered in the end of the sixties, however the construction of a
ore-mining and processing plant (GOK) was delayed for the
ecological reasons. At first it is because of the danger of
bringing harm to Baikal.
The auction for the right to use of the deposit was announced in
2004. At that time Greenpeace proposed to delay the auction until
the situation with the edge of the Baikal natural territory would
be cleared. At that moment the edges were not determined, however
the List of activities which are prohibited in the CEZ of BNT was
already adopted. This List also prohibited the development of
Kholodninskoe deposit. Unfortunately the auction was taken place
and it led to current problem.
In 2007 the owner of the production license of the Kholodninskoe
deposit - IFK "Metropol" introduced a draft feasibility report on
the development of the deposit to the Glavgosekspertiza. It led to
protest actions of ecologists and other specialists, indicating the
danger for the Baikal and also legal inefficiency of such
development. The Rosprirodnadzor also did not stand aside and in
October 2007 appealed to the Rosnedra with demand to withdraw the
production license for the deposit.
The List of activities which are prohibited in the CEZ of BNT
was adopted by the government regulation #643 of 30 august 2001.
Therefore, today the new provisions can be introduced to this
legislative act, which stands on the way of environmentally
dangerous projects, and could done this act inoperative.
"In our opinion the Glavgosekspertiza's decision adopted on 27
of December 2007 must become the final" - says the leader of Baikal
program Greanpeace Russia Roman Vazhenkov. Independent experts have
the similar opinion: the development of the Kholodninskoe deposit
is extremely dangerous to the Bikal. Toxic waste can be easily get
into the lake through the river system or through the groundwater.
Baikal - is the world natural heritage and Russia is responsible to
the world for its safety.
Additional information:
Preliminary valuation of the environmental implication of the
ingress of the waste water from projectile GOK on the Kholodninskoe
deposit to the north Baikal from the rivers Tuya and Kholodnaya
(the feeder of the Verhnyaya Angara). (Prepared by S.G. Shaphaev:
assistant professor of Ecology and Safety of Living department of
East Siberian state technology university, representative of the
Buryatia regional unit on Baikal. The point 1 is performed by P.P.
Sherstyankin - Doctor of physico-mathematical science.
1. Annual water inflow of Verhnyaya Angara and Kichega rivers is
9 cubic kilometers. The saltiness of the river water (0,0600
gram/liter) is smaller then the saltiness of the lake water (0,0965
gram/liter). There is a strong vertical mixing almost down to the
bottom in inshore part of the North Baikal. Dynamic characteristics
of water regime could lead to increased concentration of the waste
water in the closed inside hollow circulation.
North-baikal omul could suffer from depression especially
strong. It would lead to sufficient ecological and economical loss,
negative social implications for local population in the feeding
system of which omul plays sufficient role.