Impact of enterprises of the mining and metallurgical complex of the Sverdlovsk region on the environment and directions of its reduction

Abstract

Purpose of the work. A long-term intensive work of mining and metallurgical enterprises in Sverdlovsk region, caused by the presence of a large number of ore deposits, inevitably leads to the serious negative environmental impact. The purpose of this work is the analysis of this impact in recent years, measures taken by the largest enterprises for its reduction and the assessment of area and abilities of the work in this direction. Methodology. In this work, data from open sources for analysis and systematization were used – government reports on the state of the environment in Sverdlovsk region, scientific reports, official statistical data. Results and their field of application. There are data on environmental impact of the largest mining and metallurgical enterprises of Sverdlovsk region: JSC “EVRAZ Kachkanarskiy ore mining and processing combine”, JSC “Vysokogorskiy mining and processing combine”, JSC “Nizhnetagilskiy metallurgical combine”, JSC “United Company RUSAL Ural’s aluminum” and others analyzed and systematized. There are the opportunities of this negative impact reduction and required direction of actions according to the authors described: 1) development and implementation of the integrated territorial eco-technological approach that includes the elaboration of various and heterogeneous natural-technological, economic, managerial and social aspects; 2) implementation of green technologies; 3) environmental quality prediction and the use of prediction data when implementing production activity. Conclusions. A number of large enterprises of the industry show the trend of the improving of ecological performance through a variety of activities in the area of environmental protection. It should be noted that one of the factors mainly determining the degree of environmental impact, remains the volume of production. The implementation of complex and ambitious tasks related to the environmental impact of the mining and metallurgical enterprises reduction requires the introduction of serious scientific and practical developments with appropriate financial support and consistent implementation of state policy.