Press Release, 5.03.2019

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Yaroslav Shcherbakov, Chairman of the Chelyabinsk-based branch of Yabloko, spoke at a rally in the city of Miass, at an ecoprotest action demanding to stop the construction of the Kruglogorsk mining and processing plant and prevent pollution of Lake Turgoyak. About 2,000 residents of the city participated in this rally.

In addition, the regional branch of the Yabloko party will prepare a political statement in support of the resolution of the rally. Also it was also decided to resume the work of the local branch of Yabloko in Miass.

The activists say that there are four gardeners’ associations (i.e., summer houses and gardens of Miass residents) within a walking distance from the proposed construction site, and two villages – Leninsk and Nizhny Atlyan – are within ten minutes drive from the site. Moreover, geological works in the area adjacent to Kruglaya Mountain poses a threat to the reservoir of the Transneft oil pipeline.

Earlier, a collection of signatures against the construction of the plant was launched in Miass. It should be noted that the construction is planned by Viktor Pichugov ex-Senator from the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District. The city authorities under public pressure were forced to cancel public hearings on changing the category of land from agricultural into industrial for construction of the plant, as well as terminate the investment agreement with the company.