Kazakhstan to nationalize steel, coal operator responsible for fatal mine accidents

The death toll resulting from a fire at a coal mine in Kazakhstan has increased to 42, and four individuals are still unaccounted for, as reported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

As reported by TengriNews.Kz, the rescue efforts are facing difficulties due to damaged mining equipment and debris in certain areas.

The fire ignited on Saturday at the Kostenko mine, which is owned by ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based steel corporation, and is situated in Kazakhstan’s Karaganda region.

ArcelorMittal stated that the fire is suspected to have been triggered by a methane gas explosion, with approximately 252 workers present in the mine at the time of the incident.

This fatal event is the most recent in a series of workplace fatalities that have occurred at facilities operated by ArcelorMittal Temirtau, the local branch of ArcelorMittal responsible for operating the nation's major steel plants, as well as multiple coal and ore mines.

In response to the recent fire, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister, Alikhan Smailov, announced the nationalization of ArcelorMittal Temirtau.