In Kryvyi Rih, emissions from quarry explosions decreased by 9% over the year

In Kryvyi Rih, emissions from quarry explosions decreased by 9% over the year Shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

The actual rate of specific emission reduction from mass explosions was 2% less than planned

In Kryvyi Rih, industrial enterprises in 2023 reduced the amount of emissions from mass explosions in nine operating quarries by 9%, or to 1,02 thousand tons.

The companies carried out 181 massive explosions, blowing up 33.2 million m3 of rock mass and using 33.3 thousand tons of TNT-free explosives, the Ecology Department of the Executive Committee of the Kryvyi Rih City Council reports on Facebook.

It is noted that during such explosions, the air is released:

  • dust;
  • nitrogen dioxide;
  • carbon monoxide.

In 2023, explosions in quarries were carried out by:

  • ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih PJSC;
  • JSC "Southern Mining and Processing Plant" (PIVDGZK);
  • PJSC "Central Mining and Processing Plant" (CGZK);
  • PRIVATE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY "Ingulets Mining and Processing Plant" (INGZK);
  • PJSC "Northern Mining and Processing Plant" (PIVNGZK)
  • "Ukrainian Mining Company" LLC;
  • "Rudomine" LLC.

The message said that with the total volume of detonated mining mass and the volume of used explosives in 2023, compared to 2022, increased by 10%. However, enterprises avoided more than 3.9 thousand tons of pollutants entering the air thanks to:

  • the use of electrical initiation systems;
  • external and internal hydraulic caulking using a humate reagent;
  • the use of TNT-free explosives on blocks that are blown up.

In addition, during the demolition work, the companies monitored the content of pollutants in the territory of the nearest residential quarters.

It is noted that thanks to the city's environmental program, in 2023 the actual rate of specific reduction of pollutant emissions from mass explosions amounted to 117.7 kg/thousand m3 of blasted mining mass, which is 2% more than planned by the enterprises.

In Kryvyi Rih, massive explosions in the quarries of mining companies, including ArcelorMittal, became one of the largest sources of air pollution in 2022. Thus, during the year, 29.9 million m3 of rock mass was blown up in 98 massive explosions, which released 1.1 thousand tons of hazardous substances into the air.

As EcoPolitics previously reported, PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih generated 87% of all industrial emissions in the city for 9 months of 2023.

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