Three mine workers to be tried for theft of spare parts
The stolen parts were old but still usable for repairs.
Three employees of the gold mining enterprise «Ust-Kara mine» have been charged under Part 4 of Article 160 of the Russian Criminal Code (embezzlement committed using one«s official position on a large and especially large scale by an organized group). This was reported on January 20 on the website of the prosecutor»s office of Zabaikalsky Krai.
According to the authorities, from October 2023 to August 2024, two chief mechanics and a mechanic at the enterprise, being responsible for material assets, organized a group to steal spare parts for expensive specialized equipment.
They found old but serviceable spare parts suitable for repair, did not turn them in to the warehouse, but removed them from the enterprise«s territory using company vehicles. Then they sought out buyers, sold the parts, and divided the proceeds among themselves.
The total damage amounted to about 11.9 million rubles (approximately $130,000 at current rates). To compensate for the damage, property belonging to the suspects worth more than 6 million rubles has been seized.
The theft was discovered during an inventory check, after which a report was filed with the police. The case will be heard by the Sretensky District Court.
The joint-stock company «Ust-Kara mine» has been mining placer gold in Zabaikalsky Krai since 1993. The company holds licenses for geological exploration, prospecting, and mining of placer gold on promising sites in the Sretensky and Mogochinsky districts. The company is headed by Valery Kotelnikov. In 2023, he was included in a list of the wealthiest people in Zabaikalsky Krai. At the end of 2024, the company«s revenue amounted to 18.1 billion rubles, with net profit at 2.9 billion.
