Sikhote-Alin Reserve borders may be altered for gold mining

A gold mining project near the Sikhote-Alin Reserve has been presented in Primorye Territory. The news has caused serious concern among experts worried about possible environmental pollution, according to the reserve«s staff.

A corresponding meeting took place on 21 January 2026 under the leadership of the deputy chairman of the territorial government. The economic report for the future project was presented by the Glukhoye Gold Mining Company, but the exploratory work that has begun has worried experts.

Glukhoye Gold Mining Company LLC has existed since 2021 and is based in Yekaterinburg. The company«s general director is Sergey Semin.

The ultimate owner of the company is Irina Savelyeva, who owns a number of enterprises in Sverdlovsk Region.

In 2024, the organization incurred losses of 455,000 rubles (about $5,100 at current rates).

«Until now, the work has been carried out within the framework of current legislation. However, the project for its further development causes us serious concern,» clarified the reserve«s director Svetlana Suturina.

She emphasized that for further work on the project, changing the boundaries of the protected zone and permitting activities previously prohibited by the special protection regime are being considered. Also, specialists are concerned that the work will affect the headwaters of the Kolumbe River«s tributaries — one of the reserve»s key waterways.

«Any large-scale work in this zone may lead to changes in the hydrological regime and the state of aquatic ecosystems,» the statement said.

Also, specialists believe that the construction may negatively impact the conservation of the Amur tiger and other large mammals that move along a special corridor.

Moreover, the Sikhote-Alin Reserve is a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage site «Central Sikhote-Alin» — the only UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in Primorye Territory, and therefore experts call for a clear analysis of any proposals regarding changes to the protected zone.

«We consider it fundamentally important that the discussion of such initiatives be accompanied by comprehensive, independent, and scientifically sound expertise,» Suturina believes.

The director of the Amur Tiger Center, Sergey Aramilev, also found the decision questionable. He emphasized that gold mining is often accompanied by river pollution and deterioration of the environment, life, and health of citizens.

«It is necessary that when making a decision, all arguments are considered, especially those that will affect the interests of the population living downstream from the proposed mining sites. Rivers have traditionally been used for fishing, including sport tourism, and forests are valuable hunting grounds and habitats for endangered animals,» Aramilev clarified.

On 27 December 2025, we wrote that a tiger captured in the village of Barabash, which had previously attacked several dogs, will be relocated to a new home — to the taiga. It turned out to be completely healthy.