The Estonian government has made a move to sell three gravel hills located in Kohtla-Järve for the price of €443,000 to Kirde Mäed OÜ, a firm owned by Kristjan Piilmann and Margus Kangro. This transaction aims to address the need for expansion of current industrial waste and semi-coke landfill facilities to the west and northwest. According to the government's decision, the sale is in line with market value, highlighting the ministry's approval to proceed with the sale as part of ongoing industrial management in the region.

The three plots collectively cover an area of 867,500 square meters and currently require an annual maintenance cost of €400,000 from the state. The new owners, Kirde Mäed OÜ, will assume responsibility for the costs related to water treatment, aftercare, and monitoring of the state-owned closed semi-coke landfill area between 2027 and 2040. This shift not only alleviates the financial burden on the government but also aligns with the strategic need for effective waste management in the Ida-Viru county.

Moreover, the sale contract includes a permanent free easement for the state to use the technical facilities for maintenance and operation, ensuring that the government's interests are preserved throughout the management of the land. The business registry indicates that Kirde Mäed is ultimately owned by VKG, demonstrating the interconnectedness between the government and private sector in managing local industrial waste issues, which raises important questions about transparency and regulatory oversight in such transactions.