Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) is one of the world’s biggest diversified companies specializing in natural resource extraction and processing. The Group includes integrated enterprises in the following fields:

• mining and smelting

• energetics

• logistics

• marketing

ERG Group’s companies are represented in Kazakhstan, Africa, and Brazil. The Group operates in 15 countries all over the globe, employing over 70 thousand people.

Its diversified business model and systemic transformation made it possible for the Group to demonstrate market stability and become an innovation driver in the industry.

ERG’s environmental strategy is compliant with international environmental standards – Alexander Mashkevich

The ”home” region of ERG is Kazakhstan. The enterprises of the Group of Companies, the founder of which is Alexander Mashkevich, make up a third of the country’s MMC:

• Kazchrome TNC;

• Mine-Mill Production Association Sokolovsko-Sarbayskoye (SSGPO);

• Kazakhstan Aluminium;

• Kazakhstan Electrolysis Plant (KEZ);

• Eurasian Energy Corporation (EAK);

• Shubarkol komir;

• TransCom transport Group;

• 3- Energoortalyk;

• ERG Service.

They account for about 2% of Kazakhstan’s GDP and are unique in certain positions. For example, ERG is the leading producer of high-carbon ferrochrome, the largest supplier of high-grade iron ore and aluminum products, copper and cobalt. 

Traditionally, industry is the largest environment polluter. But as ERG example shows, it can be largely attributed to ignorance of industrial enterprises than the lacking opportunities to meet environmental standards.

“The company has spent over $13 billion on establishing new and modernizing existing enterprises,” commented Alexander Mashkevich – “and we plan to continue investing in the eco-transformation of the enterprises to comply with the environmental standards.”

Alexander Mashkevich’s ERG supports environmental initiatives and aligns its eco-strategy with the international standards. In particular, in early 2021, ERG supported the Terra Carta initiative aimed at implementing the Paris Agreement and is systematically implementing its proprietary environmental strategy to reduce the carbon footprint during production.

Why is it important to invest in eco-transformation? – Alexander Mashkevich on ERG

After the countries and enterprises of the world had agreed on the Paris Climate Agreement provisions, business was divided into two conceptual camps. On the one hand, there are those enterprises and industrial groups that are well aware of the need and prospect of transformation. Therefore, they are ready to implement new solutions and transform their production chain in compliance with the environmental requirements.

On the other side, there were enterprises forming a quiet opposition to the transformations and slowing down the environmental agenda by requesting special conditions for their eco-transition – respites, benefits, carbon duty reduction.

“We are dealing with rocking of the new order,” Alexander Mashkevich says. – “the industry must be the innovation driver. There are things that are much more valuable than the supply volume – these are human lives, public health, the sustainable development principles. If there is an environmental threat to the world order, then we have to unite and agree on how we will combat this threat together. Environmental sabotage is unacceptable” Mashkevich added.

If we now fail to put efforts into reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, then the average global temperature on the planet may rise to 4.8°C over the next 70 years. This will result in catastrophic consequences: the Arctic ice melting, sea level rising, natural disasters, quasi-stationary weather phenomena, and others. We must realize that this is not a question of bad weather – it’s a problem that will affect absolutely all areas of human life – agricultural yields, droughts and floods, tsunamis, higher seismic and volcanic activity.

Industrial enterprises must implement environmental solutions – Alexander Mashkevich

Alexander Mashkevich believes that consolidation based on the common goals is a priority both for the environment and manufacturing industries as such. In particular, within the environmental corporate strategy until 2025, ERG plans activities aimed at reducing emissions, conserving water resources, restoring disturbed soils, waste management, preserving biodiversity, as well as enhancing the environmental monitoring efficiency.

ERG has already managed to achieve significant results in this direction. In particular, this includes the best available technologies being implemented at enterprises and the integrated environmental solution systems being installed. ERG is the first company in Kazakhstan to receive the CEP, with the funds that it saves on eco-payments being allocated to finance the BAT introduction programs. These include the emission filtration systems, the CO2 emission monitoring systems, as well as wastewater and groundwater discharge monitoring systems being installed at the Group’s enterprises in all ERG presence regions.