«Environmental problems must not be left for the people to deal with,» says MP Kopytin on the sale of Alumina Plant
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- Kateryna SeredaEditor-in-chief
MP Ihor Kopytin insists that the MGZ should be sold together with the sludge storage facilities and the jetty; photo from the politician’s Facebook pageIhor Kopytin, a Member of Parliament from Mykolaiv, insists that the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant (MAP) should be sold together with the slurry ponds, the jetty and other related assets. In his view, the future owner must take responsibility for maintaining the slurry ponds and resolving environmental issues.
He made this statement in a comment to NikVesti. The MP visited the plant in early October together with the head of the State Property Fund, Dmytro Natalukha.
«It is a matter of principle for me that the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant should be sold together with the sludge storage facilities, the quay and other related assets. We cannot allow the plant to be sold to a new owner whilst the environmental problems and responsibility for them remain with the state and the people living nearby,» said Ihor Kopytin.
According to the MP, the views of residents in the surrounding villages must be taken into account whilst the lots and privatisation conditions are being drawn up. He stated that he would convey their concerns to the Ministry of Economy and the State Property Fund.
«I understand the concerns of residents in the surrounding villages and will do my utmost to convey their position to the Ministry of Economy and the State Property Fund. It is important that this is taken into account whilst the lots and privatisation conditions are being drawn up, and that the future owner takes responsibility for the tailings ponds and resolving environmental issues,» he noted.
The State Property Fund expects the auction for the sale of MAP to take place by March 2027, archive photoIhor Kopytin also emphasised that the privatisation of the enterprise must not create new risks for people living nearby.
«The state must ensure that privatisation takes place in the interests of the people, rather than creating new risks for them. And for my part, I will do everything possible to ensure that this approach is implemented,» said Ihor Kopytin.
At the same time, the State Property Fund has not yet decided whether to sell the sludge storage facilities alongside the plant. In an interview with NikVesti, Dmytro Natalukha stated that this issue is being discussed with the Ministry of Economy. He expects to receive a clear answer by the end of October.
However, back in March 2026, the State Property Fund informed NikVesti that both sludge storage facilities form part of a single property complex belonging to MAP, which is planned to be put up for sale.
According to data from the State Environmental Inspectorate, published in May, 49.4 million tonnes of red sludge — a by-product of alumina production — have accumulated in the sludge storage facilities. At that time, the dust suppression system was operating at approximately 70 per cent capacity. Environmentalists also warned of the risks of contamination of the Buh Estuary and adjacent agricultural land by slurry-contaminated water.
It should be noted that the auction for the sale of the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2027. The final date, starting price and terms of privatisation have not yet been approved.
