‘We’ve carried out the planned inspections of UC RUSAL’s local enterprises. As far as Sverdlovsk Region is concerned, we examined Sevuralboksitruda (the bauxite mine), Polevskoy cryolite plant, and Siberia & Urals Aluminum Company’s Ural Smelter (UAZ-SUAL). None of these enterprises are in an emergency condition,’ says the Deputy Head of Ural Federal District’s division of Rostechnadzor (the state technological and nuclear safety watchdog) Anatoly Soloviev.

‘We did have a few questions for the enterprises’ top executives, however. Firstly, the repairs and maintenance get very little financing. Secondly, their repairs agent, Russian Engineering Company, is very poorly coordinated with the companies it services. So, a number of enterprises’ CEOs and their deputies will have to face administrative liability,’ he adds.