Remediation via Transformation: Uranium Legacy Sites to Historical Heritage

The Soviet authorities started mining and enriching uranium in Central Asia in the 1940s. However, after the region gained independence, these sites were neglected. 

Remediation efforts are currently ongoing at several former uranium mines in Uzbekistan. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) manages the funding provided for this project by the Environmental Remediation Account (ERA) for Central Asia. 

The EBRD representatives share their views on the actual situation at the sites with Kursiv and explain the significance of this project for the environmental well-being of our country and the entire region.

Imminent Danger

Central Asian countries have a large number of USSR uranium legacy sites. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has identified seven priority locations for reclamation: Min-Kush, Shekaftar and Mailuu-Suu in Kyrgyzstan; Taboshar and Digmoy in Tajikistan; and Charkesar and Yangiabad in Uzbekistan.

“These sites are of particular concern due to their location in seismically active zones, near waterways and residential areas,” confirmed the EBRD.

The condition of the sites varies, but they all contain abandoned mines, industrial ruins, dumps and tailings ponds, which pose environmental and health risks due to radioactive contamination. 

Infrastructure health, which safeguards radioactive waste, is also a concern. 

For instance, at Mailuu-Suu, regular seismic vibrations have caused the tailings dam vibration, leading to liquefaction and potential collapse in the event of strong earthquakes. This could result in widespread contamination of the Syr Darya River basin and the Fergana Valley, especially considering the impact of climate change. 

The IAEA has admitted that the situation is critical at all priority sites, warning of an impending ecological catastrophe without remediation efforts.

Time Matter

The situation at uranium sites in Uzbekistan is equal to that of other Central Asian countries. For example, the Yangiabad site contains mines, open-pit mines and waste rock dumps, which pose environmental menace and tangible danger to the locals and tourists.

Similarly, near the village of Charkesar, there are open adits, dumps and remnants of drainage structures. 

Moreover, the tailings dam in Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan, only ten kilometers from Uzbekistan’s border, can negatively affect the country’s environment. According to the EBRD, an earthquake with a magnitude of only 6.0 could cause the dam to collapse, releasing toxic materials into the water system.

Reclamation in progress

The ERA’s grant supported specialists’ intention to start the remediation of several uranium sites in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan: Yangiabad, Charkesar and Mailuu-Suu.

Significant progress has been made, such as the clearance of approximately five thousand hectares in Yangiabad and the reclamation of several mines in Jekindek, Kattasai, Alatanga, Rudny Dvor . Twenty-three adits and eight sinkholes were closed. The contaminated ruins of an abandoned factory were finally demolished. Charkesar’s channels were constructed to drain water, ore accumulations were cleared, and sinkholes were sealed. Work on both sites commenced approximately 12 months ago and is projected to be finished by the end of 2024. The work in Mailuu-Suu will take longer. The EBRD should have disclosed an exact completion date.

Meanwhile, the remediation of uranium heritage sites in Min-Kush and Shekaftar has been completed, and they are now under the state’s control. The residents have the right to make further decisions about the sites’ usage.

The international experience has proven that these reclaimed sites can be repurposed for renewable energy projects, public parks, or research facilities. Additionally, preserving these sites as landmarks with informative boards about their history and the importance of environmental remediation is also being considered.

What Next

Only a few critical sites identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are in question. Five of them are subject to remediation, while the prospective situation of two others in Taboshar and Digmoi (Tajikistan) is vague.

Our sources admitted they need help with work projection at these two sites due to the lack of funds. The estimated amount for the sites’ reclamation is around 35 million euros. At the same time, the estimated work period could take up to seven years to complete. 

The presence of former uranium mines in Taboshar and Digmoye poses significant risks, as there are numerous open mines and adits, radiation-contaminated buildings, and open-pit mining sites.

Even after resolving the issue of the remaining two priority sites, the problem of the Soviet Union’s uranium legacy in Central Asia will still need to be addressed. The region is scattered with sites where uranium ore was mined during the Soviet era. 

According to the EBRD, Tajikistan has the highest number of such sites. Digmoye has the largest cluster of radioactive waste from uranium ore processing in Central Asia. 

Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, has the highest number of former uranium mining and enrichment facilities. The condition of these facilities varies greatly, influenced not only by natural factors such as seismic activity and the effects of climate change but also by how facilities were managed in the past.

Investing in the Future

Now is the preeminent moment to check the funding sources for remediating the uranium legacy in Central Asia and admit its insufficiency for priority sites.

The ERS, a multi-donor fund established in 2015 by the European Commission, plays a crucial role in financing the work at these sites. While the European Union is the most significant contributor, with 83 % of the contribution, it’s essential to recognize the involvement of other separate states such as Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Lithuania, and the USA. The EBRD, as already noted above, manages the account.

Central Asian states require global community support to effectively address the issues related to the USSR uranium legacy sites. 
Recognising the scale of the issue and the need for international cooperation and funding, it’s important to realise that other global problems also need to be resolved with donor funding. Meanwhile, the current funding ERS budget deficit is $50 million. 

The EBRD stresses the need for comprehensive and coordinated efforts to manage environmental and public health risks. International cooperation, adequate funding, and the latest technologies are crucial to mitigating the long-term consequences of uranium mining. 

To further this cause, we need to ensure the individual states’ risk awareness so that they can take appropriate measures. 

The EBRR representatives highlighted that the states should focus on sustainable financing and raise the issue of remediating uranium legacy sites in global forums, considering the widespread implications of these issues for many countries.