During September, operations commenced at the Process Water Supply and Slurry Shop of Northern Iron Ore to sow cereal crops on the dried out areas of the tailings storage facility. These efforts are part of the City Program for solving environmental problems of Kryvbas and improving the natural environment.
For more than three and a half years, russia has been causing irreparable damage to Ukraine’s economy, industry, energy sector, and environment. The war has impacted every part of the nation differently. Even with the exceptionally difficult conditions, Metinvest's companies persist in their endeavors to sustain output and have upheld their dedication to tackling environmental concerns.
This year, Northern Iron Ore has planned and is currently executing substantial projects that incorporate green technologies. These initiatives aim to prevent the dispersion of dry areas at the plant’s tailings storage facility. Ten tonnes of seeds and four tonnes of intricate fertilizers are designated for the rehabilitation of the degraded soil. Cereal varieties planted within the first third of September began to sprout.
– The first experiment of sowing rye on the tailings storage facility at Northern Iron Ore was conducted in 2021. We were initially unsure if the crop would establish itself in highly mineralized enrichment tailings. The positive outcome gave us the confidence to persist with this method. Through further experimentation, we also discovered that winter rye provides the most effective surface protection. It has sufficient time to sprout before cold weather, forming a dense root network that secures dry tailings and prevents wind dispersal, explained Oleh BEREZA, Lead Dust Ventilation Engineer at Northern Iron Ore.
According to Mr Bereza, the total area of Northern Iron Ore tailings storage is nearly 170 hectares. Out of this, 75 dry hectares are designated for rye sowing. About 60 hectares are currently being raised from +165 to +169 meters, with irrigation managed by a hired construction company. More than 35 extra hectares are undergoing uniform hydraulic filling, and the accumulation pond's water level adheres to the project plan. To further prevent dust formation, irrigation devices operate on the shop's technological roads on a fixed timetable.
