Following a spill of contaminated water from a state-owned mining enterprise, more than 18,000 square meters of land in the Dnipropetrovsk region became unsuitable for agricultural use. The director of one of the company’s divisions will face trial for negligence, and the environmental damage is estimated at over 28 million hryvnias.
This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
The discharge of contaminated water occurred in the Kamyanske district of the region back in 2023. The investigation revealed that the official failed to ensure proper supervision of production processes. Due to this negligence, the toxic liquid spilled beyond the production site and flooded neighboring land plots.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor General
Virtually irrecoverable losses
Hazardous substances penetrated the soil, causing its degradation. This refers to the loss of fertility, which cannot be quickly restored or remedied without substantial capital investment.
Laboratory analysis of soil samples revealed excess levels of a number of hazardous compounds, specifically chlorides, ammonium, sulfates, and other substances toxic to living organisms.
Calculations by a forensic engineering and environmental assessment determined that the environmental damage amounts to over UAH 28 million.
Accountability
An indictment concerning the official’s actions has been submitted to the court. His actions fall under Part 1 of Article 239 and Part 2 of Article 367 of the Criminal Code: land contamination and official negligence resulting in serious consequences.
The division director is not the only individual implicated in the environmental disaster. The chief engineer of the same division is also being prosecuted for the same incident. His case is currently being reviewed in court.
EcoPolitic previously reported that the director of one of Kyiv’s enterprises was also charged. Emissions from the production facility contained toxin levels dozens of times above the permissible limit.
