[Summary translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Centre]

Four employees of Lebedinsky Mining & Processing Plant poisoned by hydrogen sulfide, 7 July 2025

On June 30, a hydrogen sulfide release occurred at the Lebedinsky Mining and Processing Plant. Gubkin media outlets reported the incident, citing workers as sources.

According to a version circulating on social media, company employees were repairing malfunctioning equipment and inhaled the gas. The incident took place in a facility housing wastewater treatment systems. A team of four maintenance fitters was attempting to fix a malfunction in a pressure pipeline after discovering that one of the valves would not shut off. During the repairs, water and gas were released from the disassembled valve. The men were taken by ambulance to the “LebGOK Zdorovye” medical center with a preliminary diagnosis of hydrogen sulfide poisoning. One of the injured workers was reportedly in critical condition.

“Four employees of Lebedinsky GOK who were injured while carrying out work at a sewage pumping station are receiving treatment in hospital under medical supervision. The workers are being provided with all necessary medical assistance. Thanks to the professional work of doctors from Gubkin and Stary Oskol, the condition of the injured has improved. The plant’s management is keeping the situation under special control. The causes and circumstances of the incident are being investigated in accordance with current legislation,” representatives of Lebedinsky GOK told Fonar.