In accordance with the requirements of environmental legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is conducted at the planning stage of each project to determine the environmental and other consequences of options, management and economic decisions, and to develop recommendations for environmental improvement. In addition, during the design stage of each project, public hearings are held with the participation of stakeholders: administrative, government, and regulatory bodies, research organizations, public associations, local residents, and the media. We ensure that all stakeholders have access to the EIA drafts and receive and register comments and suggestions.
Over the past two years, Altai Oil Refinery JSC has held the following public hearings:
- 05/12/2020 under the section "Environmental Protection" (EP) for the project "Reconstruction of evaporation fields of Altai Oil Refinery LLC".
- May 27, 2021, under the section "Environmental Protection" to the working project "Construction of a V-5000 m3 tank at the Altai Oil Refinery".
All relevant materials (draft EIAs, protocols of public hearings) can be found at atyrau.gov.kz
The most recent public hearings were held on the implementation of the evaporation field reconstruction and reservoir construction projects, attended by stakeholders and leading media outlets. The hearings addressed the projects' environmental impacts and the potential for improving the region's environmental situation after completion. Furthermore, members of the public had the opportunity to directly ask questions of the refinery's specialists and management about the Altai Oil Refinery's environmental policy and measures taken to mitigate the negative impact of its operations on the region, and received expert answers.
In addition, in 2019, Altai Oil Refinery held one press conference – a presentation of the TAZALYQ project, in which 10 media outlets participated and, as a result, more than 20 publications were published in Russian and Kazakh, which positively influenced the perception of the project by society in the Atyrau region and the image of the plant as an organization open to dialogue, in general.
In keeping with its policy of openness and transparency, the Atyrau Refinery held an online conference on October 22, 2020, at the Zhaiyk-Caspian Aarhus Center, bringing together representatives of the Atyrau Refinery and members of the public from Atyrau. New approaches to environmental protection were discussed during the conference. Thanks to the modernization of the Atyrau Refinery, environmental emissions have become virtually safe, while maintaining its visual identity.
Thanks to extensive media coverage of these events, openness, and full support for the company's environmental projects, the social climate in the region has improved, public loyalty to the Altai Oil Refinery has increased, and overall understanding of the company's environmental policy has grown.
Moreover, the Atyrau Refinery published its 2020 Annual Report, prepared in accordance with international standards and best corporate practices. The document describes the company's performance across key indicators (production, finances, corporate governance, etc.).
Due to the relevance and importance of environmental issues and the social responsibility of business, the Altai Oil Refinery Annual Report also contains a section on environmental protection, which presents a report on the company's implementation of various projects in this area.
The document is available for viewing on the official website of the Altai Oil Refinery in the “Reports” section : www.anpz.kz.