A Russian company has been ordered to pay over 2.1 million rubles after a court found it guilty of illegal gravel extraction in the ecologically sensitive Kamchatka Peninsula. The Arbitration Court of Kamchatka Krai ruled that the firm, LLC “Kol”, caused environmental damage by operating in the water protection zone of the Kol River, a specially protected natural territory in Russia’s Far East.
The court case revealed that while the company had received approval in February 2024 to clear the riverbed and extract up to 2,500 cubic meters of sand-gravel mix, a subsequent inspection on April 28 uncovered a far larger operation. Investigators found that LLC “Kol” had unlawfully extracted 5,220 cubic meters—more than double the authorized amount—without holding the necessary license for subsoil use in the protected area.
In its ruling, the court affirmed that the company’s actions were in direct violation of fundamental Russian federal laws, including the “On Environmental Protection” and “On Subsoil” acts. The judicial body stated that the material evidence presented in the case confirmed that LLC “Kol”‘s unauthorized activities had resulted in tangible damage to the local environment, breaching regulations designed to preserve the unique ecosystem of the region.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between resource development and environmental enforcement in Russia’s vast, resource-rich territories. While the court’s decision demonstrates a level of regulatory oversight, it has not yet entered into legal force, leaving the possibility of an appeal by the company. The outcome will be watched as an indicator of the state’s commitment to protecting its designated natural reserves.