Residents of Buryatia have protested against the development of an apatite deposit, which was already the site of an accident in the 80s.

In Buryatia, plans are underway to resume development of an apatite deposit used for fertilizer after 40 years. Residents have spoken out against the plan: in the 1980s, an accident occurred at the deposit, killing fish in the Selenga, Lake Baikal's main tributary, and poisoning animals and people. Fifteen people died.  

"It's very close to the Oshurkovo quarry. Kamenny Quarry, Zelenaya Polyana—the lands that were given to our grandparents—Sotnikovo, and part of Ulan-Ude will also be affected. Bolotistoye and Utochkina Pad' will also be affected—that's where the mining will take place. All the water will flow into the Selenga, the main tributary of Lake Baikal. So, the entire republic, the entire world, will suffer—Lake Baikal is supposed to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many people and animals will suffer," said Olga, "Regional Aspect" is one of the members of the anti-mining group. 

The client, ApatitAgro LLC, plans to invest 63 billion rubles in the project. The company insists that exploration is currently underway, and that new technologies that minimize environmental impacts will be used during production. However, residents noted that full information on the environmental impact was not provided at the public hearings. 

People are currently collecting signatures against the development of the mine. According to residents, several hundred people have signed up.