Primorsky Territory Gov Miklushevsky halts coal terminal construction
Primorsky Territory Governor Vladimir Miklushevsky has decided to cancel the construction of a coal terminal in Slavyanka, the local administration press service said. The decision followed a series of meeting with local residents and numerous appeals of green activists. Among the first opponent of the project was Sergei Ovchinnikov, chairman of the Khasan district parliament.
The coal terminal project in the village, activists and residents said, would damage the environmental situation. A few thousand locals have voted against the facility construction.
"Hasan is the pearl of Primorye. We already have a bad example in Port Possiet, where a coal terminal had been launched. Plastic windows in apartments do not save from dust. So people are categorically against the construction of the terminal in the village", said Sergei Ovchinnikov.
Vladimir Miklushevsky noted the importance of the issue, namely the development of tourism industry in the region, and most importantly, maintaining the health of residents.
"I agree with the people: we should not allow turning the resort area into a contaminated object. I will instruct the first vice-governor Sergei Sidorov work out this issue as soon as possible", the governor said.
The project included construction of a coal transshipment complex encompassing 290 sqm, on the territory formerly owned by Slavyanka shipyard.
The terminal was planned to operate year-round. The terminal Phase 1 annual capacity was projected to be 2.5 million tonnes of coal, of the second phase – up to 8.5 million tonnes. The facility features capabilities for simultaneous storage of four types of coal, 175,000 tonnes in the first phase.
