Kiyzassky Open Pit Mine Plants 110,000 Spruce Trees in Kuzbass

Kiyzassky Open Pit Mine has planted 110,000 Siberian spruce saplings on forest lands within the Myski Urban District and Novokuznetsk Municipal District. Working together with the local forestry service, the company reforested areas affected by large-scale logging and forest fires. In total, 36.6 hectares have been newly planted.

The company carries out reforestation work every year. One-year-old Siberian spruce seedlings are specially grown in greenhouses in advance for planting. This species of conifer thrives even in harsh continental climates. After being planted in open soil, the trees will grow about 3–4 cm in the first year, 10–20 cm over the next 15 years, and their growth rate will then increase.

According to Kiyzassky Open Pit Mine’s Chief Ecologist, Irina Blok, in addition to the planting itself, the enterprise also looks after the young conifer forest:

“Freshly planted trees are at high risk of dying during their first year in open ground. That’s why it’s very important to keep a close watch on the young forest. Our specialists at Kiyzassky Open Pit Mine conduct regular monitoring, thanks to which the survival rate of our seedlings reaches 90%.”

Kiyzassky Open Pit Mine launched its compensatory reforestation program in 2020. Since then, 1.7 million conifer seedlings have been planted on forest lands. The total forested area established through the company’s efforts now amounts to 550 hectares.