New criminal case started against Norilsk Nickel employees

MOSCOW, Jun 16 (PRIME) -- Another criminal case was initiated against the employees of metals producer Norilsk Nickel over dumping wastewater into a river near Norilsk in June 2017– July 2019, according to a statement on the website of the Investigative Committee, seen by PRIME on Tuesday.

"A criminal case against unidentified employees of Norilsk Nickel and Mekhanobrengineering was initiated after a check by the prosecutors on the grounds of a crime specified in Article 246 of the Criminal Code (violation of the environment protection rules)," the statement read.

The damage to environment was assessed at more than 154 million rubles.

The circumstances of the crime and the people who were involved in it are being identified. 

A fuel tank at Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company lost pressure on May 29 and leaked out fuel and lubricants into the river Ambarnaya, causing a fire.

A spokesperson for Norilsk Nickel, the world’s top nickel producer and the core enterprise in the region, blamed warming of the permafrost, which moved supports under the tank.

(70.3950 – U.S. $1)

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