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While the benefits of coal to the Russian economy are unclear, the harm caused by the operations of most Russian coal companies is obvious. Coal mines and pits pollute the atmosphere and bodies of water, poison and forever destroy the soil\u2019s genetic profile, and are a source of tremendous amounts of hazardous waste and industrial refuse. The coal dust, soot, and suspended particles that enter the atmosphere during the mining and transport of coal can cause oncological and other illnesses of the heart and the respiratory tract and have caused the premature deaths of hundreds of people. Official statistics confirm that air, water, and soil pollution and morbidity and death rates are much higher in places where coal is mined than in areas that are far-removed from coal operations. In most cases, however, the authorities and regulatory bodies prefer not to speak about this openly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A significant percentage of Russia\u2019s coal resources are concentrated in the Republic of Khakassia and Kemerovo Oblast. The enormous Beysky Coal Deposit, which includes seven open pits, is located in Khakassia. Of these, four – Arshanovksy, Vostochno-Beysky, Kirbinsky, and Mayrykhsky – operate on Koybalskaya Steppe – a place of traditional residence for the Khakas people. Kemerovo Oblast contains the Kuznetsk Basin, part of whose territory is located on Shor and Teleut lands. For many members of these peoples, their native lands serve not just as a place to live and practice their traditional economic and cultural activities, but also form the foundation of their identity and well-being. Nevertheless, the state plan to increase coal mining encourages local governments to give away as much territory as possible for exploitation, sometimes without even giving a thought to the value that this land has held for centuries for the people living on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n