(last updated 19 Sep 2024)
Contents:
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Operating Mines ·
Legislation & Regulations
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Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines ·
Old Mines and Decommissioning
General ·
Gansu ·
Hunan
510 Uranium Mine ·
712 Uranium Mine ·
Gansu No. 792 Uranium Mine
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Successive drying-wetting cycles decrease radon attenuation of compacted soil covers on uranium mill tailings, study finds
"Compacted soil layer (CSL) is generally designed for uranium mill tailings (UMTs) pond to form the radon seals, whereas it is usually affected by drying-wetting environmental conditions. To summarize the radon attenuation degradation performance of CSL subjected to drying-wetting cycles, an experiment with the application of meteorological data was developed. [...]
The results reveal that with successive drying-wetting cycles, the soil apparent porosity increased, and the soil pores were enlarged. [...]"
Radon attenuation characteristics of compacted soil layer for uranium mill tailings pond subjected to drying-wetting cycles, by Liang K, Hong C, Luo J, et al., in: The Science of the Total Environment, aheadofprint, Aug. 19, 2022
"Thallium (Tl) pollution caused by the exploitation of uranium (U) mines has long been neglected due to its low crustal abundance. However, Tl may be enriched in minerals of U ore because Tl has both sulfurophile and lithophile properties. [...] The study revealed that long-term leaching and weathering can lead to the increased acid-extractable and oxidizable fractions of Tl in UMT [Uranium Mill Tailings], and that the exposure and dissolution of Tl-containing sulfides would largely enhance the flux of Tl release. The findings indicate that UMT containing (abundant) pyrite should be paid particular attention due to Tl exposure. Besides, critical concern over the potential Tl pollution in universal U mining and hydrometallurgical areas likewise may need to be seriously reconsidered."
Emergent thallium exposure from uranium mill tailings, by Yin M, Zhou Y, Tsang DCW, et al., in: Journal of Hazardous Materials, aheadofprint, Oct. 28, 2020
712 Uranium Mine
> View deposit info
Illicit uranium mining continues in closed 712 Uranium Mine
In Hunan province, peasants have made a cottage industry out of mining uranium ore.
This black-market uranium - probably uraninite, containing up to a third of uranium oxide - has been retrieved from one of 18 abandoned mine shafts in the mountains that tower above the village. A subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation had blocked the mine entrances with concrete and dirt when it left about 10 years ago, but local workers immediately blew them open again.
Since then, peasants have been carting uranium ore back to the village in bamboo baskets strapped to the village donkey. They wash it in the river, like the gold panners of old, and sell it by the truckload to anyone who pays.
(Sydney Morning Herald, April 5, 2008)
510 Uranium Mine ·
Gansu No. 792 Uranium Mine
"Recently, the nuclear decommission project of Longjiang Uranium Industrial Co., Ltd gained a new achievement. The waste mine from 510 mine area was totally covered by thick grass, and became a 'natural oxygen bar'."
(CNNC July 30, 2009)
Environmental activist Sun Xiaodi sentenced to two years of Reeducation-Through-Labor; daughter to year-and-a-half
Human Rights in China (HRIC) is deeply concerned that Gansu authorities have sentenced well-known environmental activist Sun Xiaodi to two years of Reeducation-Through Labor (RTL), and his daughter Sun Dunbai, also known as Sun Haiyan, to one-and-a-half years of RTL, for criminal acts that endangered state security.
In the RTL sentencing decision, the authorities assert that Sun Xiaodi stole information relating to the state-owned No. 792 Uranium Mine in Gansu, and gave it to his daughter to supply to overseas organizations, and that he distorted facts, spread rumors, and incited the public with libelous slogans of "nuclear pollution" and "human rights violations."
The sentencing decision also states that the authorities have proof of the criminal acts committed by Sun and his daughter, including witness testimony, Sun's and his daughter's own statements, material proof, and official "state secrets" classification of the information Sun and his daughter handled.
"If the authorities have evidence that Sun Xiaodi and his daughter endangered state security, they should present it in an open and fair trial," said Sharon Hom, executive director of HRIC. "Instead, they chose RTL - a nontransparent process of administrative punishment lacking procedural protections - raising strong suspicions about their handling of these cases." HRIC urges the Chinese authorities to review the Sun cases and rescind or suspend their RTL sentences.
(HRIC July 16, 2009)
Environmental activist Sun Xiaodi and daughter face Reeducation-Through-Labor
On July 10, 2009, Hu Jianhong, wife of anti-nuclear activist Sun Xiaodi, confirmed with Human Rights in China (HRIC) that the Public Security Bureau of Diebu County, Gansu Province, has recommended at least half-a-year of Reeducation-Through-Labor (RTL) for Sun and their daughter, Sun Haiyan (also known as Sun Dunbai). On June 16, 2009, Sun Xiaodi and Sun Haiyan were both detained on "suspicion of providing state secrets overseas."
Hu believes that Sun Xiaodi was detained because he revealed exaggerations made by officials of Diebu County, Gansu Province, about the earthquake disaster and issues such as nuclear contamination by the No. 792 Uranium Mine, and because his work compromised the local officials' vested interests. Sun Haiyan was accused by the police of posting related information on the Internet.
(HRIC July 10, 2009)
Environmental Activist Sun Xiaodi faces further harassment
Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that Gansu-based activist Sun Xiaodi is facing serious harassment by local officials and unknown persons, and has been unable to obtain official permission to seek medical treatment in Beijing for a potentially life-threatening health condition. (HRIC Jan. 2, 2007)
Human Rights in China (HRIC) has learned that rights activist Sun Xiaodi has gone to Beijing for treatment of a life-threatening tumor, while he and his family continue to be seriously harassed and face financial hardship.
(HRIC March 27, 2007)
Activist Sun Xiaodi released from prison
Sun Xiaodi was released from Lanzhou Prison on Dec. 27, 2005. He remained under house arrest until notified on March 12, 2006, that he would be fully released on March 20, 2006. The notice specified that Sun should not leave his village in Diebu County after his release. Following his release from house arrest, Sun set off for Beijing on March 29, 2006, with the intention of petitioning the central government once again, and he was arrested again on April 6, 2006.
(HRIC release Apr. 7, 2006)
He was released soon afterward, but remains under constant police surveillance. (HRIC release Dec. 2, 2006)
Activist disappeared after reporting contamination from uranium mine / Call for action
"Human Rights in China (HRIC) 
has learned that a Gansu uranium mine employee has been missing for 110 days after being detained by public security police following his attempts to petition officials over severe radiation poisoning affecting local residents."
"The No. 792 Uranium Mine is located in Diebu County (also known as Thebo District) in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It was originally established under the State Nuclear Industry Department as one of China's most important sources of uranium, but was "closed as a matter of policy" in 2002 on the basis of mine-exhaustion. Sources say that after the closure, mine employees accused mining and Nuclear Industry Department officials of plundering employee and state assets and damaging the environment, not only locally, but in all downstream areas. However, their complaints were ignored by the authorities.
Sources say that radioactive material from the mine has been improperly handled, with the result that residents near and downstream of the plant have begun suffering a high incidence of cancerous tumors, leukemia, birth defects, miscarriages and other unusual afflictions. Before the mine opened in 1980, the area was well populated by a large variety of fish, bird, plant and animal species, but has since become a barren wasteland. Livestock also suffer unusually high death rates, apparently from drinking contaminated water. Banks, shops and other public buildings report radiation levels many times higher than the normal level. Local medical workers report that nearly half of all deaths in the area are from some form of cancer, but patients' case histories are routinely altered because of "state secrets" concerns. As a result, many residents remain ignorant of the health hazards, and no preventative measures are taken to protect human and animal life.
Sources say Sun Xiaodi began reporting these health concerns to the Nuclear Industry Department in 1988. Instead of an official response, however, Sun reportedly found himself subjected to various forms of retaliation. In 1994 he was dismissed from the mine and forced to make due on a subsistence allowance of a little over 100 yuan per month. His wife and daughter also faced a range of discriminatory treatment and harassment, and the family was under constant surveillance and telephone monitoring, culminating in Sun Xiaodi's apparent abduction at the end of April [2005]." (HRIC release Aug. 19, 2005)
"HRIC fully supports the efforts of Sun Xiaodi's family and friends to ascertain his whereabouts and secure his release. [...] HRIC urges the international community to press the Chinese authorities to conduct an in-depth investigation of Sun's allegations of the corruption and severe human health impacts and environmental degradation at the Gansu No. 792 Uranium Mine." (HRIC release Sep. 7, 2005)
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General ·
Yangiabad ·
Charkesar
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Old Mines and Decommissioning
Remediation under way at two former uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan
Remediation work at legacy uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan is under way, bolstered by a Euro 9 million grant from the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA) set up on the initiative of the European Union (EU) and managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The grant funds will support work to close the identified mine openings, demolish derelict facilities that were used for uranium ore processing, and to re-cultivate selected waste rock areas at the Yangiabad and Charkesar mines.
(EBRD Sep. 8, 2023)
Remediation of uranium mining legacy sites in Uzbekistan to begin in 2023, EBRD
Environmental remediation works are to commence at two former uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan following the signing of a grant agreement between the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA) and the government of the region's most populous country.
A EUR 7 million grant provided by ERA and managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will finance the remediation of the facilities at Yangiabad and Charkesar located in mountains to the east of the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. [...]
The works at the two sites are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023 and will take approximately two years to complete.
(EBRD Sep. 1, 2022)
Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy in Uzbekistan begin, EBRD
Preparations to tackle the legacy of former uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan can begin, following the signing of a grant agreement today between the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA) and the government of Uzbekistan.
The EUR 2 million grant will support a recently established Project Management Unit (PMU), which will be dealing with the environmental remediation of the former uranium mining sites at Yangiabad and Charkesar, located in the mountains east of the Uzbek capital Tashkent.
As a first step, the PMU can start preparing the necessary tender documentation for remediation works at the two sites. Physical work on the ground is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2022 and will take approximately two years to complete.
(EBRD Oct. 22, 2021)
IAEA releases "Strategic Master Plan" on envrionmental remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia
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EBRD sets up new fund for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy
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Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy at Yangiabad begin, EBRD
Located at an altitude of 1,300 metres in an area with a high risk of seismic activity, and around 70 km from Tashkent, Yangiabad was a uranium mining site for nearly 40 years. It is spread across a 50 km2 area and contains about 2.6 million m3 of radioactive waste. Planned remediation works include closing four shafts, demolishing contaminated buildings and processing facilities, relocating several waste rock dumps to a central covered dump and other associated activities.
(EBRD Oct. 22, 2021)
> See also: Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy in Uzbekistan begin, EBRD
Cattle grazing on uranium mill tailings in Angren
Angren markets sell meat from animals raised in a radioactive zone - from the mountain gorges between Angren and Yangiabad.
The city of Yangiabad is 10 km away from Angren. Uranium was extracted there between 1940 and 1980. There remain tailings storage facilities to this day, containing radioactive rock formations extracted from the uranium mines, situated in the mountain gorges between the two cities.
(Uznews.net Apr. 30, 2014)
Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy at Charkesar begin, EBRD
The village of Charkesar, located in the mountains 140 km to the east of the Uzbek capital, was a uranium mining site until 1995 and is still home to approximately 3,500 people. Planned remediation works at this site include the closure of two shafts and the demolition of abandoned buildings.
(EBRD Oct. 22, 2021)
> See also: Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy in Uzbekistan begin, EBRD
General ·
Chkalovsk ·
Digmai ·
Istiqlol ·
Taboshar
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Operating Mines ·
Legislation & Regulations
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Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines ·
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EBRD to allocate 33.1 million Euros for the reclamation of two uranium mill tailings sites in Tajikistan
The Majlisi Namoyandagon (lower house of parliament) of Tajikistan has ratified a framework agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) regarding activities on the Environmental Rehabilitation Account for Central Asia in the Republic of Tajikistan.
Speaking to the deputies, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the country Zarobiddin Fayzullozoda noted that with the financial assistance of the European Union, a feasibility study (TEO) was developed and an assessment of the environmental impact of two tailings in Tajikistan - Dehmoy and Taboshar.
According to Z. Fayzullozod, a grant of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the amount of 33.1 million euros will be sent to neutralize tailing dumps with radioactive waste Dehmoy and Taboshar in the north of Tajikistan.
The Minister said that, on the proposal of the European Commission, the EBRD is collecting donations on a special current account to eliminate the threats of the Dekhmoy and Taboshar tailings. As the necessary amount is collected, a project will begin on the rehabilitation of the above tailings.
According to the minister, ten tailings dumps in Tajikistan contain 55 million tons of waste. Most of them, that is 36 million tons, are located in the Dehmoy tailing dump.
According to Fayzullozod, Tajikistan is also working with the Russian Federation on two projects to bring these facilities (tailings) to a safe state. For one project, an agreement has been signed with a cost of 850 million Russian rubles [12 million EUR].
(Avesta Dec. 11, 2019)
Tajikistan calls for assistance in the reclamation of uranium waste
Permanent Representative of Tajikistan to the United Nations Mahmadamin Mahmadaminov spoke about the risks of uranium waste in the Republic of Tajikistan and called for assistance in the reclamation of uranium waste, according to the information department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.
About 55 million tons of radioactive waste were inherited from the Soviet Union to Tajikistan. The total activity of waste according to various estimates ranges from 6.5 to 7.7 thousand Curie [240 - 285 TBq].
In 2014, the Republic adopted a National Concept for the rehabilitation of tailing dumps of uranium ore processing waste for 2014-2024 and was approved by the government of the country.
Due to the economic situation, the republic has only limited opportunities to invest funds for these purposes.
(Asia-Plus Oct. 2, 2018)
IAEA releases "Strategic Master Plan" on envrionmental remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia
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Remediation plans for uranium legacy sites in Tajikistan completed, but remediation costs not covered yet
Project results have been finalised containing detailed plans for the sustainable remediation of the uranium mining and processing legacy sites at Degmay and Istiklol in Tajikistan. It is now clear what type of work needs to be done to effectively improve the situation for the local population and to stop spreading the contamination, the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan has said.
The proposed measures are independently reviewed by the IAEA (Vienna) and are based on experience dealing with similar situations elsewhere in the world especially in the EU.
The project is part of EU's regional environmental remediation program for Central Asia and with the completion of this project for Tajikistan, all the preparatory studies are now finalised for the country.
The EU calls upon other donors to - financially - join the efforts. In 2013, the UN already recommended such financial support from the international community in order to bring solutions to the region. The EU already has made 16.5 million Euro available for a special fund established for this purpose by the EBRD. But this is not sufficient. An additional amount of 70 million Euro is needed to finance remediation work in the seven identified priority sites in Central Asia and as agreed upon with the countries directly involved in Central Asia.
(Times Of Central Asia Apr. 7, 2018)
IAEA to prepare plan for remediation of uranium legacy sites in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
Last week, the IAEA's Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) visited Northern Tajikistan to assist with preparations for remediation of uranium legacy sites.
As an outcome of the mission, the expert team is now preparing independent indicative cost estimates that will help Tajikistan in their planning for remediation. Tajikistan continues to implement a work programme to place an interim cover on the uranium tailings at Degmay to reduce the dust hazard to the surrounding communities and the environment.
Information collected from the visit to Tajikistan and from a similar one to Kyrgyzstan in October 2016, supports the development of a strategic plan for remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia. The plan aims at providing confidence, through a strategic and integrated approach, that remediation will be addressed in a timely, coordinated, cost-effective and sustainable manner.
The plan will be utilised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to secure pledges for the Environmental Remediation Account, established in 2015 to fund remediation activities in Central Asia.
(IAEA Mar. 24, 2017)
EBRD sets up new fund for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy
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Tajikistan adopts concept on reclamation of legacy uranium mill tailings
The Government of Tajikistan has approved the Tajik National Concept on rehabilitation of uranium tailings for 2014 - 2024, reports the Tajik President's Administration.
Total amount of waste in the tailings is more than 55 million tons. The total activity of the waste is ranging from 6.5 to 7.7 thousand curies [240 - 285 TBq], according to various estimates.
(AKIpress Sep. 29, 2014)
EurAsEC countries allocate US$ 39 million for the remediation of uranium mill tailings in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
> See here
UN sounds alarm on unsecured uranium mill tailings in Tajikistan
The former Soviet republic, where Stalin's empire once mined uranium to create its first nuclear bomb, is still stuck with about 54.8 million tonnes of unsecured waste from the now mainly abandoned mines, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) said.
The waste is "not treated, not confined, not secured," agency spokesman Jean Rodriguez told reporters in Geneva.
In its second environmental performance report for the country, the UN agency lamented the lack of progress made to clean up the radioactive waste, which it said appeared to remain at the same level as in 1990.
"The state of radioactive waste storage is one of the main problems in Tajikistan," it said, noting that a number of the unsecured sites are near Khujand, Tajikistan's second largest city.
The largest single dump site contains 12 million tonnes of radioactive waste and is in the town of Taboshar, north of Khujand, the report showed.
Uranium from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan was also processed for decades near Khujand, and 35,000 cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste accumulated there, according to UNECE
(AFP Dec. 12, 2012)
> View UNECE release Dec. 14, 2012
> Download Environmental Performance Reviews: Tajikistan, Second Review , United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Nov. 2012
Tajikistan now concerned over safety of tailings dumps rather than development of uranium deposits, President of the Academy of Sciences says
Tajikistan is now concerned over rehabilitation and safety of tailing dumps rather than exploration and development of uranium deposits, President of the Academy of Sciences, academician Mamadsho Ilolov, remarked at a news conference in Dushanbe on October 9.
According to him, there is a large number of tailing dumps in northern Tajikistan. In the Soviet era, the northern city of Chkalovsk had been one of centers of the uranium industry. Chkalovsk's enterprises had been processing not only Tajik uranium ore. They had also processed uranium ore delivered from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
"Radioactive waste was stored in tailing dumps that do not meet appropriate safety rules and are situated in the immediate proximity to residential areas and rivers," said the academician, "Therefore these tailing dumps pose threat to the environments."
Moreover, resumption of the uranium industry requires huge funds, while Tajikistan now does not have such funds, Ilolov said.
(Asia-Plus, Oct. 9, 2009)
Tajikistan investigates feasibility of uranium recovery from reprocessing of uranium mill tailings
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IAEA assists Tajikistan to assess hazards from abandoned uranium mill tailings
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) programme is assisting Tajikistan to assess the impact of millions of tonnes of uranium tailings in abandoned sites.
The tailings sites, a potential source of radioactive and heavy metal pollution, are the legacy that has accumulated in the region over five decades of operation of uranium mines and mills without proper environment management programmes in place.
Some of the 10 abandoned uranium mill tailings sites are sited near towns and villages. All of them are in the north of Tajikistan. In Taboshar, a former centre of uranium mining and milling, a hill of more than one million tonnes of process residue tailings lies unprotected, vulnerable to erosion by wind and rain.
Animals drink from pools of water that gather at the foot of the hill when seasonal rains fall, and children play around it. Some material from the tailings sites has also been used in home construction.
But Tajikistan is ill equipped to undertake, on its own, the task of securing the tailings legacy.
IAEA sees its assistance programme as a first step towards seeking donor funding to secure them.
(IAEA June 28, 2007)
Planning for management of abandoned uranium mill tailings in Tajikistan begins
Vostokredmet, the company which mined uranium ore in the Soviet period, announced on October 2, 2006, that the process of documenting radioactive waste pits has begun and plans are being made to bury them safely.
Ecologists in Tajikistan say plans to seek donor funding to bury radioactive waste in the north of the country are long overdue, and warn that local people are still disturbing contaminated earth in the area.
(NBCA Oct 6, 2006)
Tajikistan seeks foreign help for cleanup of legacy from Soviet era uranium mining
"After the Soviet era uranium extraction in northern Tajikistan, some 50 million tonnes of radioactive waste still remain. If earthquakes, landslides or other cataclysms were to intensify, the contamination may spread," warned Saulius Smalys, the pan-European Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) environment advisor in Dushanbe.
Contaminated soil is "open to wind and rain" and nuclear waste "is dispersed over dozens, if not hundreds, of kilometers around," Smalys said.
"Extraction was done manually, with sieves. The technology was so primitive that most of uranium bioxides remained in the waste dump," he said.
Nowadays, the radiation levels now in abandoned mines exceed the norm by scores, while hundreds of Tajiks continue to live on polluted territories, with mine entrances still yawning wide open for the wind to carry contamination far away. According to the OSCE, cancer levels in the north of Tajikistan are 250 percent higher than in other regions.
"Some mines are in inundated areas, near rivers, and radioactive waste may reach the Syrdaria river with rains," Smalys said.
This would prove a catastrophe to the fertile Fergana valley along the great Syrdaria river, with its 10 million inhabitants.
The OSCE plans to aid Tajikistan in working out a technical project to decontaminate the area and is calling on sponsors such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and NATO for funds.
Tajikistan would require "hundreds of millions of dollars" to decontaminate about 10 abandoned mines, said Djabor Salomov, vice-director of the Tajik Academy of Sciences' nuclear security agency.
(The Taipei Times 17 Dec 2004)
Villagers farm perilously close to abandoned uranium dump
Reporter Kamari Ahrorzoza has been visiting Gazion, a village in northern Tajikistan, where residents live and work in close proximity to an old uranium mine.
The site, just two kilometres from the village, is one of eight in the region where uranium ore waste has been left where it was dumped when the Chkalovsk plant was processing uranium for the Soviet nuclear industry.
These days, villagers admit that they pasture their cattle close to the site even though it is not allowed. They blame radiation for health problems and lower crops yields.
Environmental specialists confirm that areas near the uranium dumps have abnormally high levels of ambient radiation.
Villagers admit that they visit the unguarded dump site to pick up scrap metal for resale. That poses dangers to the unwitting buyers who use the recycled steel as part of a house structure and who may suffer health consequences years later.
The authorities merely monitor radiation levels as they do not have the funds to clean up areas like this.
"It would take an awful lot of money to render these sites harmless, and the government budget can't stretch to that," said Nurmon Hakimov, local branch head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Agency, part of Tajikistan's Academy of Sciences. "The state-owned [rare metals] enterprise Vostokredmet isn't in a position to pay for it, either."
(IWPR/Central Asia Radio Feb. 20, 2009)
Tajikistan: High radiation in Leninabad region from former uranium mining
Uranium of Leninabad: A Legacy of Radiation , by Iskandar Firuz, Eurasianet 10/3/00
(also spelled Degmai, Degmay)
Elevated radiation dose rates found near unsecured Digmai uranium mill tailings
"An assessment of the radiological situation due to exposure to gamma radiation,
radon and thoron was carried out at selected former uranium mining and processing
sites in the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and
Tajikistan. [...] The
detectors were exposed for an extended period of time, including at least three
seasonal periods in a year, in different outdoor and indoor public and
residential environments at the selected uranium legacy sites. [...] the gamma and Rn/Tn dose rates at Digmai, Tajikistan, could reach values of several 10 mSv/a."
Assessment of the radiological impact of gamma and radon dose rates at former U mining sites in Central Asia, by Stegnar, P; Burkitbayev, M; Tolongutov, B; et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, ahead of print, Jan. 2, 2013
see also:
Assessment of the radiological impact of gamma and radon dose rates at former U mining sites in Tajikistan, by Lespukh, E; Stegnar, P; Yunusov, M; et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity Vol. 126C, Aug. 29, 2013, p. 147-155
(formerly Taboshar)
Reclamation of Taboshar uranium mill tailings completed
Rosatom specialists have completed work as part of a project to rehabilitate the territory of the Taboshar industrial site, located near the city of Istiklol in the Sughd region of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Thanks to the selected engineering solutions, the height of the uranium sand dump was reduced from 65 to 35 meters and covered with a one and a half meter layer of clean soil. The radiation background in the perimeter of the reclaimed facilities has dropped to natural levels, which is confirmed by monitoring data from the Agency for Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear Safety of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan.
(TVEL Oct. 3, 2023)
TVEL wins tender on reclamation of Taboshar uranium mill tailings
The Central Design and Technological Institute (JSC "TsPTI", an enterprise of the Fuel Company of Rosatom "TVEL") won the tender for the development of working documentation and performance of work at the Taboshar site of the Republic of Tajikistan [...].
Within the framework of the contract, the territories of the tailing dumps and the dump of the low-grade ore factory will be rehabilitated. The dump with an area of eight hectares has not been reclaimed after being formed for more than 40 years. At the moment, the dump height reaches up to 60 m, the volume of accumulated tailings - sand after uranium extraction - is about 1.17 million tons.
The contract value exceeds 700 million rubles [US$ 11 million], the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
(TVEL May 18, 2022)
Reclamation starts for former Taboshar uranium mill tailings
In Tajikistan, the reclamation of open uranium residues from Soviet times has started. According to unofficial information, about 55 million US dollars will be required for the complete dismantling of all waste.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Russian nuclear energy company "Rosatom" would like to start recultivating open uranium dumps and the industrial site of the former uranium processing plant in Istiqlol (until 2012 Taboshar) in northern Tajikistan. This was stated by Nikolay Spassky, Rostatom's deputy director general for international affairs, according to the Russian News Agency TASS on November 11, 2021, in a speech before the Council of CIS Heads of Government.
The CIS Commission for the Peaceful Use of Atomic Energy had {adopted} the intergovernmental target program "Recultivation of areas affected by uranium mining 2013-2023" for the remediation of radioactive tailings ponds and tailings dumps. Russia bears the main financial burden of the approximately 13 million euro program with 75 percent. Kazakhstan (15 percent), Tajikistan (5 percent) and Kyrgyzstan (5 percent) bear the remaining share.
Regarding the progress of this program, Spassky noted that "the planned completion date according to the approved program for both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is the end of 2023". Referring to Tajikistan, he stressed that "the task here is to reclaim the tailings and industrial site of the former uranium processing plant near the city of Istiqlol. The technical solutions are fully worked out, now we are finalizing the competitive procedures. We expect to sign a contract in the next month or two and we can start work in the first quarter of 2022."
(Novastan Feb. 7, 2022)
High uranium concentrations found in water and fish from pit lake of former Taboshar uranium mine
"[...] These artificial pit lakes contain fish consumed occasionally by the local people, and wild and domestic animals are using the water for drinking purposes. To assess the potential impact from U in these pit lakes, field work was performed in [...] 2008 in Taboshar. Results show that the U concentration in the lake waters were relatively high, [...] about 3 mg/L in Taboshar Pit Lake. The influence of U-bearing materials on the lakes and downstream waters were investigated by measuring the U concentration and the 234U/238U activity ratios. In both Kurday and Taboshar, the ratios increased distinctively from about 1 at the pit lakes to >1.5 far downstream the lakes. The concentrations of 238U in gill, liver, muscle and bones in fish from the pit lakes were much higher than in the reference fish. [...]" (emphasis added)
Uranium activity ratio in water and fish from pit lakes in Kurday, Kazakhstan and Taboshar, Tajikistan, by Stromman G, Rosseland BO, Skipperud L, et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, ahead of print, June 25, 2012
Environmental impact assessment of radionuclide and metal contamination at the former U sites Taboshar and Digmai, Tajikistan, by Skipperud L, Stromman G, Yunusov M, et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, ahead of print, June 9, 2012
Alarming concentrations of Po-210 found in fish from pit lake of former Taboshar uranium mine
"In regards to the recommended Annual Limit of Intake (ALI) for 210Po, the concentration of 210Po in muscle tissues of Carassius auratus is alarming, as there is a high probability for the local population at risk to exceed the recommended ALI through consumption of fish from Taboshar Pit Lake."
Po-210 and Pb-210 in water and fish from Taboshar uranium mining Pit Lake, Tajikistan, by Skipperud L, Jorgensen AG, Heier LS, Salbu B, Rosseland BO, in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, ahead of print, April 16, 2012
Unproteced Taboshar uranium mill tailings present hazards to residents, IAEA finds
In Taboshar, a former centre of uranium mining and milling, a hill of more than one million tonnes of process residue tailings lies unprotected, vulnerable to erosion by wind and rain.
Animals drink from pools of water that gather at the foot of the hill when seasonal rains fall, and children play around it. Some material from the tailings sites has also been used in home construction.
(IAEA June 28, 2007)
> See also Issues for:
New Mining Projects ·
Operating Mines ·
Legislation & Regulations
> See also Data for:
Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines ·
Old Mines and Decommissioning
> See also: uranium.kg
> See also: Kyrgyzstan tailings (UNDP Kyrgyzstan - in Russian)
> View Photo exhibition: "Uranium Tailings in Central Asia: Past and Present"
Kyrgyzstan asks IAEA for $45 million for remediation of legacy uranium mill tailings
Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations, Azamat Mambetov, has asked for support from Central Asian countries at the International Atomic Energy Agency's General Session in Vienna, Austria.
The Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations stressed that it is grateful to all countries and international organizations that have made a significant contribution to the environmental rehabilitation of the tailing dumps left over from Soviet-era uranium mining in Central Asia. However, approximately another $45 million is needed to implement the Strategic Master Plan fully.
(The Times of Central Asia, Sep. 19, 2024)
Russia to allocate US$ 23.1 million for remediation of uranium tailings in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz members of parliament have approved an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Russia on funds for the remediation of sites contaminated with uranium tailings. The ratification corresponds to a previous deal by the Kyrgyz government and Russian state company Rosatom under the framework of a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) program to rehabilitate territories affected by uranium production.
Kyrgyz Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Azamat Mambetov, speaking at the session of the Kyrgyz parliament, described the details of the agreement with Russia regarding the uranium tailings ponds.
"At our request, the Russian Federation will allocate an additional 2,141 million rubles ($23.1 million). According to the draft agreement submitted for approval, these funds will be used for work and delivery of equipment, [and] they are exempt from taxes. Five facilities in Kyrgyzstan will be rehabilitated," Mambetov said.
According to the deputy minister, these are three tailing dumps left over from uranium mining in western Kyrgyzstan, and two tailing dumps in the south of the country.
(The Times Of Central Asia Mar. 12, 2024)
IAEA releases "Strategic Master Plan" on envrionmental remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia
> Download: Strategic Master Plan Environmental Remediation of Uranium Legacy Sites in Central Asia , Version 1.0, IAEA, May 2018 (17.5MB PDF)
OSCE opens information centres in Kyrgyzstan to raise awareness on uranium legacy remediation
The Office of the OSCE Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and they Aarhus Centre in Osh on September 14 opened the first Public Environmental Information Centres (PEIC) in the towns of Mailuu-Suu and Shekaftar of Jalal-Abad region in southern Kyrgyzstan as well as in Min-Kush, Naryn region, in the northern part of the country, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek said.
The centres aim to raise awareness among local residents on risks associated with proximity to uranium legacy sites and remediation works conducted by international donors.
The opening of the centres will help the donor community and the Aarhus Centre in Osh extend their outreach to these environmentally-exposed areas. Local residents will be able to obtain official guidance and raise their concerns regarding operations underway. The experts serving at the centres - trained by the Aarhus Centre in Osh - will provide locals with information on the risks associated with living near contaminated areas.
(OSCE Bishkek Sep. 16, 2016)
Remediation completed at uranium legacy sites in Shekaftar and Min-Kush:
The successful completion of remediation works at the former uranium legacy sites in Shekaftar and Min-Kush, in the Kyrgyz Republic, brings a major environmental benefit for Central Asia's most populous region and secures the sustainability of the sites for years to come.
The activity, funded through the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA), was completed on schedule and below the projected budget despite difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Both sites were certified and accepted by the Kyrgyz authorities in December 2021 and February 2022 respectively.
(EBRD Mar. 28, 2022)
Preparations for remediation of uranium mining legacy in Uzbekistan begin, EBRD:
Preparations to tackle the legacy of former uranium mining sites in Uzbekistan can begin, following the signing of a grant agreement today between the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA) and the government of Uzbekistan.
> View details
EUR 40 million funding gap remains for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy:
A funding gap of EUR 40 million must be closed to finance urgent work addressing the imminent danger caused by radioactive and toxic waste in Central Asia, according to a new cost estimate published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
During the IAEA General Conference today, a renewed call was made for additional donor funding in order to tackle the most urgent problems, as all parties directly involved renewed their commitment with the signing of a revised Strategic Master Plan (SMP).
The SMP 2021 will be published by the end of the year. It will outline the current status of the uranium legacy sites in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, including updated cost estimates for their remediation.
(EBRD Sep. 21, 2021)
Cleanup to start at two uranium legacy sites in Kyrgyzstan:
The stage has been set for the start of remedial work at two uranium legacy sites in the Kyrgyz Republic, part of a wider plan to deal with the harmful legacy of Soviet-era uranium mining and processing in Central Asia.
Work is now expected to begin this year, initially at the Shekaftar site, following a grant agreement signed between the Kyrgyz authorities and the EBRD. A grant is provided by the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA), a fund initiated by the European Commission and managed by the EBRD.
The agreement [...] allows for the start of a tender process for the selection of a contractor for the work at the Min-Kush and Shekaftar sites. These two sites have been identified as top priorities because of the environmental risks they pose.
(EBRD Apr. 29, 2019)
A contract for remediation works in Shekaftar in the Kyrgyz Republic has been signed. The mining complex includes three closed mines and eight mining-waste disposal areas that contain about 700,000 cubic metres of waste from mining operations. Radioactive waste-rock dumps, scattered around the village and next to a school, pose a risk to public health.
(EBRD May 4, 2020) [The release avoids any more predictions on when remediation work will actually start...]
After much preparation, work on the ground has just begun to address one of the Soviet Union's forgotten legacies: the radioactive and toxic waste from uranium mines in central Asia.
The first remediation works will focus on the closure of six shafts in Shekaftar and the relocation of five waste-rock dumps to an existing dump at a more remote location.
(EBRD July 28, 2020)
European Union announces additional EUR 10 million for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy:
On Nov. 8, 2018, at the international donors' conference on nuclear remediation in London, the European Union has announced additional EUR 10 million, in order to support its partners in Central Asia in dealing with toxic and radioactive waste in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This comes on top of the EUR 16 million, which the EU had already contributed to this end and will be made available later, following the formal decision. (European Commission Nov. 8, 2018)
Strategic Master Plan for cleanup of Central Asia uranium mining legacy signed:
Efforts to overcome the legacy of uranium mining in Central Asia have taken an important step forward with the signing of a Strategic Master Plan.
The Plan was developed by a group of experts established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It sets out a detailed blueprint for the environmental remediation of priority sites in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
These three countries are in the scope of the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA) established at the EBRD in 2015 at the initiative of the European Commission (EC). The fund will manage international donor support to deal with the challenges originating from legacy sites and affecting local populations and the environment.
In order to ensure a coordinated, timely and cost-effective approach in accordance with international conventions and agreements, the Plan ranks remediation measures in terms of risks and priorities. It also develops an integrated approach for evaluating the remediation needs of each site. All of this flows into a programme detailing precisely the main tasks or activities, along with schedules, key milestones and costs.
The total cost of all measures outlined in the Plan is estimated at EUR 210 million. Of this amount, EUR 56 million has already been made available by the EU, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the World Bank.
Work on the seven priority sites that will be covered by ERA is estimated to cost EUR 85 million. While so far the European Commission is the sole contributor to ERA, with EUR 16 million, a donor conference in 2018 will aim to close the funding gap.
(EBRD Sep. 19, 2017)
First agreements signed with EBRD as precondition for cleanup of uranium mining legacy in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan:
Framework agreements have been signed with the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan which will provide the legal basis for implementation of projects in these countries.
The purpose of the "Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia" is to support measures to deal with the legacy of Soviet-era uranium mining and processing in the region.
The uranium mining legacy fund was established at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in May 2015 at the request of the European Commission (EC) to finance projects to rehabilitate high-priority sites in Central Asian countries. The EC has made funds available for some initial remedial projects.
The now-concluded framework agreements set out conditions for implementing the remediation programme, such as tax exemption, the application of EBRD policies, including the Bank's environmental and social policy as well as the procurement rules and policies, and provisions for effective and efficient project implementation.
(EBRD Jan. 23, 2017)
European Commission doubles fund for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy:
To date, the European Commission (EC) has provided EUR 16.5 million to the new fund. The EC also finances ongoing detailed environmental impact assessments and feasibility studies at priority sites like Min-Kush, Shekaftar and Mailuu-Suu in the Kyrgyz Republic and Taboshar and Degmay in Tajikistan.
(EBRD July 19, 2016)
EBRD sets up new fund for remediation of Central Asia's uranium mining legacy:
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is setting up a new fund to deal with the legacy of Soviet-era uranium mining and processing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
The new account with the name "Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia" is being established at the request of the European Commission, which is providing an initial EUR 8 million, with additional funding under consideration. The fund will finance projects to rehabilitate high-priority sites in the countries where it will operate.
(EBRD June 17, 2015)
Project launched to assess environmental impact of former uranium production facilities in Kyrgyzstan, supported by European Union
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan has begun work with a consortium led by WISUTEC (Germany) with the participation of German companies Wismut, C & E and Facilia (Sweden) to develop a feasibility study and Environmental impact assessment for the rehabilitation of the former sites of uranium production in Shekaftar and Min-Kush.
As reported April 16 in the press service of the Emergencies Ministry, the project is funded by the European Union under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC).
(AKIpress Apr. 16, 2015)
Study on radiation exposure situation at former uranium mine and mill sites in Kyrgyzstan identifies excessive doses to residents from past practice of misuse of contaminated material
"An assessment of the radiological situation due to exposure to gamma radiation,
radon and thoron was carried out at the former uranium mining and processing
sites in Shekaftar, Minkush and Kadji Sai in Kyrgyzstan. [...] The results showed that gamma, Rn and Tn doses were in general low, which consequently implies a low/relatively low radiological risk. The major radiation hazard is represented by abandoned radioactive filtration material that was being used as insulation by some Minkush residents for a longer period of time. Annual radiation doses of several hundred mSv could be received as a consequence of using this material in their houses. The
radiation doses deriving from external radiation (gamma dose rate), indoor radon
and thoron with their short-lived progenies in several cases exceeded national as
well as international standards. Current doses of ionizing radiation do not
represent any serious hazard to the health of the resident public, but this issue
should be adequately addressed to further reduce needless exposure of resident
public to ionizing radiation." (emphasis added)
Assessment of the radiological impact of gamma and radon dose rates at former U mining sites in Kyrgyzstan, by Lespukh, E; Stegnar, P; Usubalieva, A; et al, in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, aheadofprint, Dec. 19, 2012
Rosatom to ask Russian government for funding of uranium mill tailings reclamation in Kyrgyzstan
According to Minister of Emergency Situations Boobek Azhikeyev, during the visit of President Sadyr Japarov to Russia, on February 17, a meeting was held with a representative of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom.
"The Corporation as a whole provides us with good assistance in isolating tailings in Min-Kush, Kaji-Sai. We also discussed plans for 2021-22. The representative of Rosatom said that he would put the question to the government of the Russian Federation in order to carry out work in Kyrgyzstan for 1.3 billion rubles [US$ 17.6 million]. This is because Russia, after the collapse of the USSR, took responsibility for the radioactive tailing dumps," he said.
(AKIpress Feb. 26, 2021)
Chinese company shows interest in "processing" of abandoned Kyrgyz uranium mill tailings and more...
Today, March 31, 2015 in Bishkek a meeting was held of Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic Kubatbek Boronov with the Director BSF Group Corporation Gonkonskoy Lan Anh Mr. Peng Xiaohua.
Participants discussed issues of cooperation in the field of processing of uranium tailings and the possibility of signing a Memorandum. This meeting was organized on the initiative of BSF Group Gonkonskoy corporation Lan Anh.
According to the director of Gonkonskoy Corporation Lan Anh Peng Xiaohua, the main purpose of the corporation Lan Anh is to attract investment in China to other countries. This company is also engaged in their activities in many countries in Asia and Africa. Representatives of Chinese companies have expressed a desire to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan in the field of uranium deposits.
(Ministry of Emergency Situations Mar. 31, 2015)
Russia gives $1.5 million to UNDP for socio-economic development of settlements in Kyrgyzstan close to uranium tailings
The Russian government provided $1.476 million to the United Nations Development Programme for implementation of the socio-economic development projects in settlements close to uranium tailings during 2014-2015, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The projects will stabilize environmental and socio-economic situation in the areas close to uranium and toxic waste tailings.
(AKIpress Nov. 7, 2014)
UNDP releases bold announcement on project for socio-economic development of settlements near Kyrgyz uranium tailings:
"Around 15,000 poor and vulnerable people from towns near radioactive waste sites will get help to monitor their environment, create jobs, boost livelihoods and strengthen their communities through a new UNDP project. Over two years, with just under 1.5 million US dollars from the Russian Federation, the project should inject new life into struggling local economies and strengthen the socio-economic infrastructure of five towns that have been heavily affected by storage sites for radioactive waste from Uranium production." (United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jan. 15, 2015)
UN draft resolution would help Central Asia clean up uranium mill tailings
The UN General Assembly Second Committee November 14 approved a draft resolution calling upon the international community to help Central Asian states clean up uranium tailing ponds dating back to Soviet times, the UN said in a statement.
The resolution, if approved, would underscore the value of regional co-operation and would call upon the international community to share knowledge on remediation of uranium and other radio-active tailings.
(Central Asia Online Nov. 15, 2013)
The representative of Kyrgyzstan introduced a draft resolution on "The role of the international community in the prevention of the radiation threat in Central Asia" (document A/C.2/68/L.36).
European Union allocates EUR 2.1 million to Kyrgyzstan to improve safety of uranium tailings
As part of the annual program of action on nuclear security signed two financing agreements for a total amount of 2.1 million euros. Part of the funds will be used for management and rehabilitation of the former uranium production facility Min-Kush. The other part will go to a secure rehabilitation of uranium tailing Shekaftar in Jalal-Abad.
(AKIPress Jan. 10, 2013)
EurAsEC countries allocate US$ 39 million for the remediation of uranium mill tailings in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan
The Eurasian Economic Community will allocate 1.2 billion rubles [US$ 39 million] for the remediation of uranium mill tailings. It is planned to reclaim six tailings dumps in Kyrgyzstan and four in Tajikistan over a period of six years.
(AKIPress Dec. 19, 2012)
Kyrgyzstan to reclaim Min-Kush and Kadzhi-Say tailings dumps
Kyrgyzstan will conduct the recultivation of tailings dumps in Min-Kush and Kadzhi-Say for the sum of US$ 16 million.
The program is developed by Rosatom together with the government structures of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC).
US$ 13.6 million (422 million Russian rubles) are to be spent for the Min-Kush tailings dump, which is prone to flooding from landslides, and US$ 2.4 million (78 million Russian rubles) are foreseen for the Kadzhi-Say tailings dump.
(AKIpress Apr. 17, 2012)
On November 28, 2012, the Governments of the Russian Federation and Kyrgyz Republic signed an agreement on cooperation in the area of atomic energy in the peaceful purposes.
The signature of this agreement accomplishes the establishment of the contractual and legal basis necessary for implementation of EurAzES international target-oriented program "Re-cultivation of the territories of EurAzES member-stated endured to impacts of Uranium-mining industries".
(Rosatom Nov. 30, 2012)
The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan ratified the agreement between Kyrgyzstan and Russia on use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Russia will provide 500 million rubles for reclamation of uranium tailings in Min-Kush and Kaji-Sai under the agreement.
(AKIpress June 11, 2014)
Kyrgyzstan has not properly addressed hazards of abandoned uranium tailings, UN Special Rapporteur finds
Kyrgyzstan has made progress in addressing the significant problems of radioactive and toxic waste dumps and in raising international awareness of the serious trans-boundary threats of contamination of groundwater and rivers, but much more remains to be done, a United Nations expert reported today.
"The social and economic impact of uranium tailings sites and other hazardous toxic waste dump sites on the local population has not been properly addressed," UN Special Rapporteur Okechukwu Ibeanu said at the end of an 11-day visit to the Central Asian country.
Tailored measures need to be adopted to address the difficulties faced by local communities living in proximity of these sites, who often live in conditions of extreme poverty, he added, noting that the existing normative framework on chemicals and waste management is not effectively enforced, and responsible ministries and agencies do not possess sufficient human and financial resources to monitor implementation.
He reminded the Kyrgyz Government that lack of adequate funds cannot be construed as a general justification for not discharging fully its obligations under several human rights treaties it has ratified, since "under international human rights law, even where resources are demonstrably inadequate, the obligation remains for a State party to strive to ensure the widest possible enjoyment of the relevant rights under the prevailing circumstances."
(UN News Centre Oct. 9, 2009, emphasis added)
Kyrgyz Prime Minister asks international community for help with abandoned uranium mill tailings dumps
At an "International Forum on Uranium Tailings Issues in Central Asia" held in Geneva on June 29, 2009, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov asked the international community for help with the management of the abandoned uranium mill tailings dumps located in the country. The scale of the problem would make it impossible to ensure a solution just on the country's own forces.
(AKIPress June 29, 2009)
Kyrgyzstan to create special agency for reclamation of tailings deposits
In Kyrgyzstan, a separate agency on the rehabilitation of tailings dumps will be created. This was reported by the head of the ministry for the extraordinary situations of Kyrgyzstan.
(Kazakhstan today July 14, 2008)
Kyrgyz government issues decision on reclamation of abandoned uranium mill tailings dumps
The prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, Igor Chudinov, signed the decision of the government on the measures for providing safety of radioactive and toxic tailings and mine waste dumps.
The cost of the proposed high priority reclamation works on the tailings dumps is estimated at more than 1,524 million Soms (US$ 42 million).
(Okmotpress Mar. 6, 2008)
Kyrgyz ministry requests the police to guard the abandoned uranium mill tailings dumps (!)
The Kyrgyz ministry of extraordinary situations requests the police to guard the abandoned uranium mill tailings dumps in the country.
"If we do not guard the tailings dump and refuse, then the radioactive materials can become tools in the hands of extremist groups and terrorists," the minister said at the government session on Feb. 13, 2008 (?!).
(AKIPress Feb. 14, 2008)
Kyrgyzstan sets up entity for reclamation of abandoned uranium mill tailings
On Feb. 13, 2008, the Kyrgyz government initiated the creation of an agency devoted to the cleanup of the uranium mill tailings legacy in the country.
(Kazakhstan today Feb. 13, 2008)
NATO to assist Kyrgyzstan with management of uranium mill tailings
NATO will help Kyrgyzstan in the realization of five projects on the management of uranium tailings dumps. (Kazakhstan today Oct. 30, 2007)
> See also: Legacy of Uranium Tailings and Environmental Security in the Central Asian Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Science for Peace project - SfP 981742 (NATO)
No damage to Kyrgyz uranium mill tailings dams from earthquake
The tailings dumps in Kyrgyzstan suffered no damage as a result of a scale-6 earthquake in the south of the republic, according to the ministry of extraordinary situations of Kyrgyzstan.
The earthquake occured on January 8, 2007, at 23:21 hrs; the epicentre was located on the slopes of the Turkestan ridge at the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, 90 kilometers southwest from Batken city and 60 kilometers southeast from Sulyukty city.
According to the data of the ministry, 11 tailings dumps are located in the Batken region, and 26 in the adjacent Dzhalal-Abad region.
At present, 49 tailings dumps in Kyrgyzstan contain about 70 mln. cubic meters of by-products.
(Kazakhstan Today Jan. 9, 2007)
Kyrgyzstan asks for Russian help with uranium mill tailings reclamation
The Kyrgyz-Russian intergovernmental economic cooperation commission asked the Russia Federal Agency for Nuclear Energy (Rosatom) to examine the feasibility of Russia's participation in the recultivation of Kyrgyzstan's uranium production waste and determine the need for and priorities in rehabilitation work.
The Kyrgyz side also asked the Russians for examining a "possibility of funding and research and development for recultivation of the tailing ponds".
(Itar-Tass Dec. 15, 2006)
Kyrgyz Parliament calls for further foreign aid with uranium mill tailings reclamation
On June 18, 2004, the legislative assembly of the Kyrgyz Parliament adopted a resolution on strengthening of the rehabilitation measures of the uranium mill tailings dumps in the country. The parliament calls the government to ensure an effective use of the foreign aid provided so far for the reclamation; and it directs the government to ask also Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for support, and to supply international organizations with information about the existing hazards. The parliament further plans to call the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA for further assistance with the uranium mill tailings problem.
(AKIPress June 18, 2004)
Kyrgyzstan urges donors to write off part of its debt in order to address uranium mill tailings problems, among others
President Askar Akayev urged Kyrgyzstan's creditors on Oct. 14, 2003, to write off part of the country's foreign debt to allow it to address environmental problems he said threaten all of Central Asia. Ecology Minister Satybaldy Chyrmashev told reporters that it will cost US$30 million to $40 million to clean up the uranium mill tailings sites in the southern town of Mayluu-Suu, which threaten to contaminate the water resources in the Fergana valley, which is shared by Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
(AP Oct. 15, 2003)
Tailings Reclamation to start in 2004
According to Kyrgyz prime minister Nikolai Tanayev, the reclamation of the Kyrgyz uranium mill tailings deposits will start in 2004, financed with US$ 5 million supplied by the World Bank.
At present, two grants of US$ 370,000 each are being used for investigations of the Mailuu-Su and Kadzhi-Say tailings.
(Kabar Sep. 15, 2003)
Russia, U.S. to help Kyrgyzstan repair uranium tailings dump
Russia and the U.S. are planning to contribute about $560,000 to help repair a uranium storage facility in southern Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Satybaldy Chyrmashev told Interfax on Aug. 1, 2003, that the country's government and the U.S. Department of Energy will sign an intergovernmental agreement envisioning $400,000 for these purposes within the next few days.
He noted that the Russian government has already pledged $160,000 to finance a feasibility study of the storage facility's repairs.
At the same time, the minister said that the promised funds are insufficient for the facility's full repair. "More than 30 Kyrgyz storage facilities, which hold uranium and radioactive wastes, need to be repaired. This effort requires about $30 million," he added.
(Interfax Aug. 1, 2003)
European researchers present investigation results on Kyrgyz tailings
The results of a Franco-Belgian investigation into the uranium mill tailings problem in the Ferghana valley were presented in Bishkek on June 30, 2003. The 2-year study was sponsored by the European Union with Euro 0.5 million under its TACIS program.
According to Hildegarde Vandenhove, expert of the Belgian Nuclear Research Center SCK-CEN [Cookies required], there is no danger for the population of this region, besides specific places. She also reported that the water in the area is completely suitable for drinking, since radionuclide concentrations were low. The main problem were the mechanical stability of the tailings dumps, threatened by landslides and seismic activity.
(AKIpress June 30, 2003)
Tadjikistan to extract residual uranium from Kyrgyz tailings?
Tadjik technology could be used to extract residual uranium from the uranium mill tailings dumps in Kyrgyzstan. This was discussed at a meeting of the Prime ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan in Bishkek on June 5, 2003. The tailings still contain 15% of the uranium originally present in the uranium ore processed.
(Kabar June 5, 2003)
Interparliamentary Assembly group visits tailings sites
A working group of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community is on a fact-finding mission to Kyrgyzstan's tailings dumps. At the invitation of the Kyrgyz parliament's Legislative Assembly, the group arrived in Bishkek on 13 May 2002. The group will visit tailings dumps in Aktyuz, Kadzhi-Say, Min-Kush, Kara Balta and in the Mayli-Say area to formulate practical recommendations on their utilization.
To date, with the assistance of the Russian Federation Ministry for Atomic Energy, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies has prepared a feasibility study of projects to recover the tailings dumps near the villages Kadzhi-Say, Min-Kush and the town of Mayli-Say.
At the end of April 2002, the head of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies, Radbek Eshmambetov, stated that the World Bank plans to grant 1 million dollars to support these projects. The project at the tailing dumps in the Mayli-Say area, which has a grant from the European Union's TACIS (Technical Assistance to the CIS countries) programme worth 500,000 Euros, is being carried out. The project is aimed at investigating the situation and drawing up projects. About 25 million dollars are needed to recultivate and recover the country's uranium tailings dumps.
(Kabar news agency May 8 / BBC Monitoring Service May 9/13, 2002)
Truck relocating uranium tailings drives into river bed in Min-Kush area
A truck carrying uranium waste from the tailings dump got into a traffic accident in Min-Kush village in Naryn region.
The traffic accident occurred early in the morning of September 2. The driver lost control on the road section near the old bookstore in Min-Kush village. The car demolished the wooden fence and drove into the dry river bed.
Head of the local hospital Ainur Tentieva said that the condition of the truck driver is assessed as stable, he will undergo surgery.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations later reported that "KhOVO" special truck, which was transporting uranium waste from the Tuyuk-Suu tailings dump, drove off the road and tilted at the 2nd km of the Tyuuk-Suu-Min-Kush-Aral road on September 2.
(AKIPress Sep. 4, 2024)
Truck relocating uranium tailings falls into river in Min-Kush area
The operation on elimination of consequences of fall of the truck into the river in Min-Kush village was carried out according to the established procedures, Rosatom's senior specialist Vladimir Bogatyrev said.
The Howo truck fell into the river in Min-Kush village, Naryn region on June 1. The Deputy Minister of Natural Resources admitted the truck carried uranium waste.
Min-Kul village local councilor Adil Maksutov said leakproof mode of transportation was used. "The content did not spill. We have hardly unsealed it with excavator. The area was cleared," the local councilor said.
Uranium waste from Tuyuk-Suu tailing is being relocated to Dalneye tailing as part of reclamation project.
(AKIPress June 13, 2024)
Remediation completed at uranium legacy sites in Shekaftar and Min-Kush
> View here
Cleanup to start at two uranium legacy sites in Kyrgyzstan
> View here
European Union allocates EUR 2.1 million to Kyrgyzstan to improve safety of uranium tailings
> View here
Kyrgyzstan to reclaim Min-Kush tailings dump
> View here
No replacement homes for people living on uranium mine waste dumps in Mailuu-Suu and Min-Kush areas
> See here
NATO funds study on impacts of possible earthquakes in the Fergana valley
NATO has allocated Euro 250,000 for a study of the impacts of possible earthquakes in the Fergana valley. The study will be performed by the University of Portsmouth (UK). (Kazakhstan today Nov. 11, 2008)
OSCE and Kyrgyz Government to assess and reduce threat posed by uranium dumps in south-east Kyrgyzstan
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Ministry for Emergency Situations and several international organizations decided to raise money for a technical assessment of the threats posed by radioactive dumps in the Minkush area in south-east Kyrgyzstan, and for subsequent rehabilitation efforts. The assessment will be carried out in September 2006.
The Minkush area dumps contain waste from uranium mining in the former Soviet Union from 1958 to 1969. They pose a threat to environment of the Naryn region of the Kyrgyz Republic and the fertile Ferghana valley.
The region is also threatened by landslides. A radioactive dump near the Tuuk-Suu River risks being flooded if a landslide blocks the river. Heavy rain- and snowfall in 2003-2005 contributed to the triggering of landslides.
"The climate and the earthquake situation in the past 10 years have created conditions that could trigger landslides, which result in mudslides and catastrophic floods," said Bakir Jolchiev, Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations.
(OSCE Bishkek June 14, 2006)
Landslide threatens uranium tailings deposit in Central Kyrgyzstan
A potential landslide in the central Kyrgyz province of Naryn could affect a uranium waste dump, threatening up to 50,000 people, according to the Kyrgyz emergency ministry.
"The danger of a landslide is very serious. Currently, according to an expert who has been monitoring the situation on the ground since August, the landslide is moving by 1 to 1.5 cm per day," Emil Akmatov, a ministry spokesman, told IRIN from the capital, Bishkek, on Nov. 1, 2004.
According to the emergency ministry, a special inter-ministry commission has just completed an assessment of the situation in the Min-Kush settlement of Naryn province, where in August a land mass of some 700,000 cubic metres started to slide down in the Tuyuk-Suu area.
Experts from the emergency ministry, the academy of sciences and some scientific research institutions say that if the landslide collapsed it would create a natural dam 30 m high and a subsequent reservoir 200 m long.
They warn that this would destroy the Tuyuk-Suu nuclear waste dump and that the rivers Min-Kush, Kokomeren and Naryn (a tributary of the Syrdarya river, one of the major water sources in Central Asia) would be polluted with radioactivity. "If that were to happen, up to 50,000 people could be affected," Akmatov said.
There are four uranium waste dumps in the vicinity of Min-Kush with a total volume of 800,000 cu m, of which 400,000 cu m are radioactive, according to the emergency officials.
(IRIN Nov. 1, 2004)
Reforestation of Kara Balta uranium mill tailings ongoing
Parts of the Kara Balta uranium mill tailings have been covered with a 0.7 m neutral soil layer and are now being planted with trees.
(AKIPress April 19, 2005)
Metal thieves selling contaminated scrap metal from Kara Balta uranium mill
The Karabalta Mining Combine's director Vladimir Mashenko told IWPR, "We have existed for 50 years, and all our unserviceable equipment is buried because of uranium contamination. Now scavengers are digging up these radioactive items to sell to metal yards."
(Institute for War & Peace Reporting Feb. 11, 2004)
Finland contributes funds for securing of Kara Balta uranium mill tailings
On Dec. 4, 2002, the government of Finland donated more than 3 million Euros for environmental tasks in Kyrgyzstan. The projects supported include the stabilization of the Kara Balta uranium mill tailings dump.
(AKIPress Dec. 4, 2002)
Contaminated mushrooms claim victims in Kyrgyzstan
Toxic mushrooms have appeared in Dzhayyl District [of Chuy Region, northern Kyrgyzstan]. One inhabitant of Kara Balta has died, and another five are in intensive care, suffering complications. The staff of the sanitary and epidemiological station are warning that inhabitants are picking mushrooms in the restricted zone of the Kara Balta uranium tailings dump, the largest in the country.
(Public Educational Radio and TV, Bishkek / BBC Monitoring Service May 8, 2002)
Residents digging for raw materials at Orlovka uranium mill tailings
On Feb. 11, 2006, residents began digging for mono-silicon around the decommissioned Orlovka uranium mill tailings dump in the Chui region (Northern Kyrgyzstan). According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MCHS), the gamma dose at the deepest point of the excavations 10 meters from the tailings pit was about 1,500 micro-roentgens per hour [9.2 µSv/h]; the tailings dump remained intact, however.
(RIA Novosti, AKIPress, MCHS, Feb. 16, 2006)
No funds available for reclamation of uranium mill tailings in Kadzhi-Say
"In Mailuu-Suu and in Minkush, buildings and structures where raw materials were demolished, and this territory is reclaimed at the expense of funds allocated by the European Bank, but, unfortunately, there are no funds for these works in the village of Kaji-Sai. We also hope that cooperation in the field of reclamation of uranium tailings in Kaji-Sai will continue and our Russian partners will bring the matter to its logical conclusion," said MP Kanybek Imanaliev.
(AKIpress June 2, 2020)
Residents ask to complete recultivation of remaining Kadzhi-Say tailings dumps
Kadji-Sai village residents of Ton district asked to resolve the issue of completion the re-cultivation of remaining tailings dumps, said MP Irina Karamushkina at the parliament meeting on Jan 16.
According to her, the tailings dumps remained after uranium mining in Soviet times and local residents asked to check and provide them with official information on radiation security and on harm to health.
"Last year, Rosatom corporation completed the re-cultivation of 11 ha of tailings dumps. 20 ha of tailings dumps remained there. 32 families living in this area addressed the director of the corporation Alexei Lihachev with a request to complete the re-cultivation of the remaining dumps. [...]" she said.
(AKIpress Jan. 16, 2020)
Kadzhi-Say tailings dump endangered by flood hazard and by locals digging for metals
The 150,000 cubic metre Kadzhi-Say tailings dump is endangered by erosion of the bank of the river flowing on one side of the dump, and by locals digging the dump for metal debris. The locals have destroyed all fences to get access to the site.
The site is proposed to be reclaimed by the cleanup project of the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC) at some time in the period 2013 - 2018.
(AKIPress Sep. 19, 2012)
Kyrgyzstan to reclaim Kadzhi-Say tailings dump
> View here
Elevated radiation levels still found around reclaimed Kadzhi-Say tailings dump
"Conclusion
The unfenced Kadji-Sai Uranium tailings site, located on the south part of Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan is a threat on the shoreline of the terminal lake.
- The lake water has elevated uranium concentrations (65 µg/L) well above natural background. The source of the elevated uranium concentration of the lake water is unknown.
- The highest uranium concentration of spring water was found to be 288 µg/L, which can be a natural background value but as well due to the impact of the tailings site.
- The average equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation around the tailings site is rather close to worldwide natural background radiation. However, the highest value at one point of the tailings with 3.42 µSv/h (30.0 mSv/y) shows that the capping of the tailing is either incomplete or violated by erosion.
Erosion is probably the biggest risk for this site due to its position between two perennial creeks."
Environmental Impact of the Kadji-Sai Uranium Tailings Site, Kyrgyzstan, by Z. Kulenbekov, B. J. Merkel, in: B. Merkel, M. Schipek (Eds.): The New Uranium Mining Boom, Challenge and lessons learned, Berlin Heidelberg 2011, p. 135-142
Reclamation of Kadzhi-Say uranium mill tailings completed
The rehabilitation of the uranium tailing deposit located in Kajisai village has been completed.
About 2 years ago, the U.S. Government allocated US$ 400,000 to the International Scientific Technical Center to implement this project. The main goal of the project is to show effectiveness of the rehabilitation work on the tailings deposits at an international level. The project was implemented by Kyrgyz specialists with participation of scientists of University of California.
(AKIpress/Kyrg. Ministry of Emergency Situations, March 29, 2006)
U.S. Government finances cleanup of Kadzhi-Say uranium mill tailings
The embassy of the USA plans to spend 400,000 dollars for the cleanup of the Kadzhi-Say tailings dump. If the American side will be satisfied by the results of the works carried out, then they will continue financing, first of all the repair of the Mayluu-Su uranium mill tailings.
The Kadzhi-Say tailings dump with an area of 10,800 square meters and with a volume of 0.15 million cubic meters is located in the region of the Kadzhi-Say settlement, altogether only 1.5 km from the Issyk-Kul lake.
(AKIpress Nov. 28, 2002)
(Note: there are numerous varying transliterations of "Mailii-Su" in use, such as Mailuu-Su, Maili-Suu, Mayli-Say, etc.)
> See also: Mailuu-Suu tailings reprocessing project
Remediation works to begin at Mailuu-Suu uranium legacy site
Mailuu-Suu, one of the largest and most heavily contaminated uranium legacy sites in Central Asia, will be remediated thanks to the allocation of grant funding from the Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (ERA), managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The grant of EUR 23 million, largest since the establishment of the ERA, will help to stabilise and cover more than 2 million cubic meters of radioactive tailings located along the Mailuu-Suu River in the Kyrgyz Republic. Approximately 350 thousand cubic meters tailings need to be relocated to a safe disposal site. This will prevent toxic material from dispersing the river system into the Fergana Valley, home to more than 15 million people.
The grant agreement, which will allow the commencement of seven years of remediation works, was signed today [...].
The planned soil covers will be 2 metres thick, which will minimise infiltration into tailings and will prevent access to them. This will bring major environmental relief to more than 100,000 people living in and around the town of Mailuu-Suu in the south of the Kyrgyz Republic. The project will also finance the rehabilitation of contaminated land and water resources in the area, contributing to sustainability and the well-being of local communities.
(EBRD May 16, 2023)
Kyrgyzstan to repair protective structures at Mailu-Suu tailings sites
Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations will allocate Som 9.643 million [US$ 165,000] for the restoration of protective structures for the tailings No. 1, 13, and 23 in Mailu-Suu town and of shore protection works on the mudflow Aylampa sai Sai.
(AKIpress May 27, 2015)
"Vandenhove et al. (2002) identified tailing 3 as the dominating environmental hazard with a total radiation of 650 TBq as high as 60% of the total radiation of all tailings impoundments. Consequently, recent remediation activities relocated the radioactive inventory of tailing 3 to a safe disposal site. However, considering the water transport path other sources are found to be more relevant as shown in table 1. Based on our field observations, seepage from tailing 5 represent a major contaminant for Mailuu-Say river with an input of up to 122 g uranium per day. Therefore, relocation of tailing 3 has limited impact on water quality due to the comparatively low daily uranium discharge [1 g uranium per day] into the Mailuu-Say."
Source: Impact of Uranium Mill Tailings on Water Resources in Mailuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan, by Frank Wagner, Hagen Jung, Thomas Himmelsbach, Arthur Meleshyn, in: Broder J. Merkel, Alireza Arab (Eds.), Uranium - Past and Future Challenges, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Uranium Mining and Hydrogeology, 2014, p. 487-495
> See also: Study demonstrates seepage from uranium mill tailings in Mailuu-Suu area
Houses built on top of uranium tailings pile at Mailuu Suu
The regional office of the State Inspectorate for Environmental and Technical Safety have examined uranium tailings in the town of Mailuu-Suu (Jalal-Abad region).
Thus, the tailing No. 12 contains 62,000 t of uranium waste. Two facilities were built by the locals on the top of the tailings deposit - a house and a two-storey billiard club. There is no signification on hazardous waste.
Uranium tailings No. 1, 2, 13, 14 and 23 in the Ailampa-Sai Gorge do not have significations on hazardous waste as well. In addition, there is the risk of destruction of a tailings dam, and hazardous waste may fall into the river.
(AKIpress Mar. 12, 2014)
World Bank provides additional financing for tailings relocation at Mailuu Suu
On Oct. 10, 2011, the Kyrgyz parliamentary Committee on International Affairs and Interparliamentary Cooperation approved the ratification of an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) on the additional financing with an amount of US$ 1 million for a project of tailings relocation in the Mailuu Suu area. The project includes the relocation of tailings dumps No.3 and No.18 to dump No.6, and the relocation of 80,400 cubic metres of waste from dump No.1 to No.2.
The total project cost is estimated at US$ 1.12 million.
(AKIPress Oct. 10, 2011)
No replacement homes for people living on uranium mine waste dumps in Mailuu-Suu and Min-Kush areas
At present, the question remains on providing homes for people living on piles of uranium ore wastes in Maili-Suu and Minkush, said chief medical officer of Kyrgyzstan, Sabirjan Abdikerimov.
As he told the April 5 meeting of the committee Jogorku Kenesh on health, social policy, labor and migration, the radiation dose in some places exceeds the permissible standard 100 - 1000 times. In spite of warnings, people build houses there and they live there with their families.
(AKIPress Apr. 5, 2011)
Preparatory work started for relocation of two tailings dumps at Mailuu Suu
Preparatory work has begun on the project to transfer the No.3 and No.18 tailings dumps to the No.6 tailings dump in Mailuu Suu.
The total project cost is estimated at US$ 11 million. US$ 4.7 million are contributed by the World Bank's International Development Association , and US$ 1.1 million are contributed by the government of Kyrgyzstan.
(AKIPress July 21, 2010)
General Prosecutor's Office demands Mailuu-Suu local authorities to remedy violations at uranium tailings
The General Procurator of Kyrgyzstan found that the local authorities of Mailuu-Suu are in violation of several environmental laws regarding the situation of the uranium mill tailings deposits located in the area. On Dec. 10, 2009, the General Prosecutor demanded the local authorities to remedy the violations.
(AKIPress Dec. 11, 2009)
A hydrogeochemical groundwater monitoring study performed by Germany's Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) confirmed the ongoing release of contaminants with seepage escaping from the uranium mill tailings deposits in Mailuu-Suu:
"The results demonstrate that contaminated seepage water locally already infiltrates from waste deposits into the underlying quaternary river sediments and also flows superficially into the rivers Mailuu-Say and Kulmin-Say. Even though the transport path is still unknown in detail, a dislocation of pollutants downstream is already indicated in both, the river water and the groundwater of the quaternary river sediments. [...]"
> View TC Kyrgyzstan: Reduction of Hazards Posed by Uranium Mining Tailings in Mailuu-Suu (BGR)
> Download Jung, H.G. & Wagner, F. (2008): Hydrogeochemical Groundwater Monitoring in Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyz Republic. - Final report of technical cooperation project "Reduction of Hazards Posed by Uranium Mining Tailings in Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyz Republic"; 81 pp., Bishkek - Hannover. (5.9MB PDF - BGR)
> See also: Tailings pile contributing largest amount of uranium seepage to Mailuu-Say river still unsecured
Residents concerned about health impacts of uranium tailings dump relocation performed in Mailuu-Suu
Since 2004, with World Bank aid, the Emergencies Ministry has begun reinforcing tailings sites against flooding and landslides. Workers have begun moving waste rock and preparing old sites in the Mailuu Suu area to receive tailings. But the project has caused concerns amongst residents, who say radioactive dust is being sent into the air and that disturbing the sites is only causing more problems. Observers assert the government is trying to skimp on expenditures by not moving the waste to uninhabited areas.
(EurasiaNet June 1, 2009)
Relocation of two tailings dumps in Mailii-Suu to begin in 2009
Within the framework of the World Bank project it is planned to transfer the tailings dumps No.3 and No.18 to another, more safe place - into the tailings dump No.6.
Work on the transfer of these tailings dumps will begin in 2009.
(AKIPress Nov. 13, 2008)
Assessment of radiation exposure in the uranium mining and milling area of Mailuu Suu
A radiological assessment was performed for critical group members living in the city of Mailuu Suu, located downstream the tailings, or in the village of Kara Agach, partially located on a uranium mine waste dump.
The actual external exposure is around 1.2 mSv/a at both locations and exposure from radon is around 3 mSv/a at Mailuu Suu and around 10 mSv/a at Kara Agach. Ingestion dose was negligible for a critical group member living at Mailuu Suu. At Kara Agach, however, under the hypothesis that all food and fodder is cultivated locally, exposure from ingestion is much higher: approximately 10 mSv/a for an adult and 30 mSv/a for a child.
For an accidental scenario it is assumed that the whole content of 110,000 cubic metres of Tailing 3 (or part of it) is thrust to the river during a normal flow period. In this case, estimated additional maximum doses result in 45 mSv for an adult and 77 mSv for a child during a 2-year period, until the tailings have been washed away by the river. These doses are mainly from the assumed consumption of contaminated water and fish from the river; these pathways have to be intercepted in case of such an accident, therefore.
Assessment of radiation exposure in the uranium mining and milling area of Mailuu Suu, Kyrgyzstan, by Vandenhove H, Sweeck L, Mallants D, et al., in: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 88, No. 2, 2006, p.118-139
Kyrgyzstan asks World Bank to speed up work on tailings dumps reclamation at Maili-Suu
On Dec. 10, 2005, the Minister of Extreme Situations of Kyrgyzstan Janysh Rustenbekov at a meeting with the official representatives of the World Bank led by Mr. Joop Stoutjesdijk asked them to speed up their work with the uranium mill tailings dumps in Maili-Suu (Jalalabad region), MES press service reported.
"The population asks us about it, because they are tired to sit on powder barrel," - the minister said.
As press service reported, the World Bank this year has allocated $ 10 million for works with the tailings dumps in Maili-Suu. The project "Prevention of extreme situations" was approved by the World Bank's Executive Directors board on June 15, 2004, and was started on September 28, 2004. It will last till 2010.
As Joop Stoutjesdijk said, the signing of the contracts and tenders announcement took much time. At the same time, the first results of the project will be known already in 2006.
He also said that the government of Japan is also taking part in this project. The governments of Germany and Switzerland and UNDP are also funding the project.
(AKIPress Dec. 12, 2005)
Landslide close to Mailuu-Suu uranium tailings dump
A landslide which hit the area surrounding the southern Kyrgyz town of Mailuu-Suu on the evening of April 13, 2005, is causing concern among the authorities because of its proximity to huge radioactive dumps from Soviet-era uranium mines.
A land mass of around 300,000 cubic metres, several hundred metres in width and up to 10 metres high halted the flow of a key river and water source in Mailuu-Suu and blocked the road linking the town with the adjacent village of Sary-Bee.
According to the Kyrgyz emergency ministry, part of the landslide is alarmingly close to radioactive waste dump number three – one of many in the area.
(IRIN Apr. 14, 2005)
IAEA takes environmental samples in Mailuu-Suu area
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been inspecting uranium waste dumps in the southern Kyrgyz town of Mailuu-Suu. Peter Waggitt, an IAEA scientist, visited the area in late October and took samples from the ground at several dozen sites for further testing under laboratory conditions, Tilek Akambaev, the mayor of Mailuu-Suu, told IRIN.
According to the mayor, final test results will be released later in November. The IAEA is interested in gaining specific information on the impact the radioactive dumps are having on the environment and people's health. The Kyrgyzstan National Sciences Academy (KNASA) has surveyed about 170 sites at Mailuu-Suu and concluded that high levels of radioactivity were present.
(IRIN Nov. 2, 2004)
World Bank and Japan pledge funds for cleanup of Maili-Say uranium mill tailings
The World Bank's International Development Association will provide $6.9 million for the cleanup of the Mayli-Say uranium mill tailings and Japan another $1.95 million, the Kyrgyz Kabar news agency said. Kyrgyzstan's government also will provide $2 million, according to the Russian Itar-Tass news agency.
The bank's board of directors will examine the project in June 2004. If it is approved, work will start in summer.
(Big News Network May 4, 2004)
On June 15, 2004, the Board of Directors of the World Bank approved a US$6.9 million IDA grant to the Kyrgyz Republic in support of the Disaster Hazard Mitigation Project. The project aims at minimizing the exposure of humans and livestock to radionuclides associated with abandoned uranium mine tailings and waste rock dumps in the Mailuu-Suu area, improve the effectiveness of emergency management and response by national and sub-national authorities and local communities to disaster situations, and reduce the loss of life and property in key landslide areas of the country. (World Bank June 15, 2004)
Cleanup cost for Mailuu-Suu uranium mill tailings now estimated at $20 - 25 million
World Bank experts visiting the area on March 11-16, 2004, have estimated the cleanup cost for the abandoned uranium mill tailings in the Mailuu-Suu area at US$ 20-25 million.
(AKIPress March 19, 2004)
OSCE launches information campaign to raise local public awareness on Mailuu-Su uranium mill tailings hazards
The campaign, called "Life Safety in Mailuu-Suu", is a joint undertaking of the OSCE Center in Bishkek , the Science-Engineering Centre "GeoPribor" and the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences. It will be carried out between 12 and 16 January 2004.
At the local level, public awareness of the threat remains alarmingly low. Citizens of the Mailuu-Suu region continue to walk freely among dangerously contaminated and poorly marked sites. The people have often appropriated land on such sites to graze their livestock and used radioactive earth to craft building materials for their homes. The citizens, especially the children of Mailuu-Suu town, are unaware of the dangers, and do not know how to live safely in a contaminated environment.
> View OSCE release Jan. 9, 2004
France intends to assist in reclamation of Mayluu-Su tailings
France intends to take part through the European Union in the solution of the problem of the Mayluu-Suu tailings dumps. This was confirmed by French Minister of Environment Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Akayev.
(Kabar Oct. 8, 2003)
Uzbekistan to participate in reclamation of Maylii-Su tailings
At the occasion of a session of the Uzbek-Kyrgyz intergovernmental commission, held in Tashkent July 9-10, 2003, Uzbekistan agreed to participate in the process of rehabilitation of the tailings dumps in Mayli-Suu.
(AKIpress July 11, 2003)
Mailii Su uranium mill tailings threatened by landslide
The Tectonic-1 giant landslide which is pending over the tailings
dump of uranium waste near the town of Mailuu-Suu has become active
in the south of Kirghizia.
The Ministry of Ecology and Emergency Situations (MEES) of Kirghizia
reported that a small part of the landslide with a volume of 250 cu m
came down near the Kirghizelektroizolit plant as a result of
downpours on the left bank of the Mailuu-Suu river. The earth mass
blocked the Mailuu-Suu - Sary-Bez motor road.
According to the MEES officers, another landslide, smaller in volume,
also moved there.
The management of the enterprise and the representatives of the
Ministry established round-the-clock observation of the state of the
landslides which have become active.
Several dozens of landslides are now threatening the tailings dumps.
If such large ones as the Tectonic-1, Koi-Tash and TEC with the
volume of movable mass amounting to 2-3 million cu m come down they
can completely destroy the "tailings", which will cause large-scale
radiation contamination of the environment. In this case the
environmental catastrophe will affect all the countries of Central
Asia.
(RIA Novosti April 23, 2003)
Government of Norway offers help for cleanup of Mailii Su uranium mill tailings
> View Final press release of the Bishkek Global Mountain Summit (Nov. 1, 2002)
World Bank to provide grant for cleanup of old uranium mill tailings
The World Bank plans to provide Kyrgyzstan with about $700 million for its poverty reduction program. The Kyrgyz government will use the grants to finance environmental projects, including the rehabilitation of the country's 23 uranium storage facilities.
(Interfax Oct 12, 2002)
Kyrgyzstan requests aid for management of hazard from old Mailii Su uranium mill tailings
President of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Akaev is requesting donor aid to cover the cost of $15 million required to manage the hazard from the old uranium mill tailings in the Mailii Su area. A possible break of the tailing dumps may would have serious consequences in the Ferghana Valley.
(Kabar News Oct 9, 2002)
Landslide threatens uranium mill tailings dump in Kyrgyzstan
A huge landslide nearly 400,000 cubic meters in size has barricaded a local river, posing a threat of flooding a radioactive dumping site near the town of Maylisu in the south of Kyrgyzstan, ITAR-TASS was told by press service chief of the Kyrgyz Ministry for Ecology and Emergencies Aleksey Yermolov.
Local civil defence teams are making all possible efforts in order to clear the river grounds. Otherwise, the river might flood one of the nuclear dumping sites near Maylisu, Yermolov said...
(ITAR-TASS news agency / BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; May 13, 2002)
According to the state news agency KABAR, a 4000 cubic meter landslide started on May 12, 2002. Near the town of Sary-Bee (3000 inhabitants), the landslide partially filled the bed of the Mayluu-Suu river and covered a highway. In the case of a complete barricade of the river, the water can wash off the tailings dumps located along the river. The Kyrgyz government is prepared to evacuate the population if necessary. As of May 13, the landslide was still in motion.
(Kabar news agency May 13, 2002 - in Russian)
Tailings Dam Safety Fears
Prolonged rainfall and a series of earthquakes across Central Asia have renewed fears of waste uranium escaping from nuclear waste pits in Kyrgyzstan's southern province of Jalal-Abad.
Should a mudslide or earthquake displace millions of cubic metres of material from the nuclear waste disposal areas, there is concern that it could pose a threat not just to southern Kyrgyzstan but also to the wider region.
Anarkul Aitaliev, from the department of environmental monitoring, part of the ministry of the environment and emergencies, described a chilling worst-case scenario, involving the river Maily-Suu triggering a radioactive mudslide of 120,000 cubic metres "tearing through Central Asia all the way to the Aral Sea". Emphasising the scale of the problem, he added, "That's what only one of the pits can do".
The river Maily-Suu currently flows just a few metres away from the nearest tailing pit. Heightening the sense of alarm, the last earthquake to shake the area, which occurred only a few days ago, was close to the burial sites.
(Institute for War & Peace Reporting, May 1, 2002 )
OSCE drawing attention to Mailii Su uranium mill tailings problem
The OSCE intends to carry out research into the problems of the Mailii Su uranium mill tailings in order to draw the attention of the European Union and the World Bank to them. According to environmental experts it is necessary to prevent landslides, which could lead to an environmental catastrophe in the Fergana valley, where more than 10 million people of three countries live [Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan].
(BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom; Apr 20, 2002)
> See also OSCE Bishkek Activities
Kyrgyzstan seeks funding for uranium mill tailings reclamation
Russian experts of the All-Russia Research Institute of Industrial Technology have prepared a feasibility study for tackling the problems of some Kyrgyz radioactive dumps and submitted it to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies. The estimated total cost of the work to be done is 8.8 million dollars:
- Kadzhi-Say (one tailings dump and a tip - $657,000),
- Min-Kush (eight tailings dumps - $3.6 million),
- Mayli-Say (the two the most dangerous tailings dumps - $4.5 million)
(BBC Monitoring Service Feb 22, 2002 / Vecherniy Bishkek Feb 19, 2002)
Russia assists in reclamation of uranium mill tailings in Kyrgyzstan
The Russian Nuclear Energy Ministry has responded urgently to Kyrgyzstan's request for reclamation work to be carried out at uranium dumps in the south of the republic. The uranium waste is located over an area of 20 square kilometres in an area prone to floods and landslides on the bank of the Maylisu river, near houses and production facilities. The ministry prepared a feasibility study for the full reclamation of the Kadzhi-Say burial ground. A meeting of the Kyrgyz-Russian intergovernmental commission has approved the project. Russian experts are continuing to investigate other tailing dumps as well. (BBC/Kabar Oct. 11, 2001)
European Union initiates cleanup of Mailii Su uranium mill tailings
In a two year project starting in 1997, the European Union
supports the remediation of the uranium mill tailings deposits
at Mailii Su, Kyrgyzstan, under its TACIS program . The project includes a survey of the environmental
impacts of the existing uranium mill tailings deposits, the
development of management plans for the tailings sites needing
remediation, and the first steps towards relocation of the most
dangereous dump.
> View Mailii Su site report by Gerhard
Schmidt
Remediation completed at uranium legacy sites in Shekaftar and Min-Kush
> View here
EBRD-funded reclamation starts at Shekaftar site
> View here
Cleanup to start at two uranium legacy sites in Kyrgyzstan
> View here
Remediation of abandoned Shekaftar uranium mine dumps "most urgent"
"Mining of the Shekaftar U ore deposit went on from 1946 to 1957. Approximately two thirds of the reserves have been mined out. What remained on the surface are 110 thousand m3 of ore refuse (low-grade ore) and waste rock. [...]
The low-grade ore is stored in form of 8 uncovered heaps. [...]
Four low-grade ore heaps and 2 waste rock piles are in the domain of the Sumsar-Say River.
On the west bank of Sumsar-Say, heap No. 5 is exposed to the erosion of the river throughout the year. The other heaps become flooded yearly, i.e. their feet become leached by the river at the time of high water. [...]
Measurements of the river water carried out upstream and downstream of Shekaftar show that erosion and leaching of the Shekaftar legacy heaps increase the content of dissolved U in the river more than 3 times even under regular flow conditions of the Sumsar Say. [...]
The remediation of the former Sumsar-Shekaftar mining district is not only justified; it is indeed, a most urgent preventive action.
Regarding the possibility of natural events prompting large-scale waste releases, suffice to say that signs of surface subsidence can be seen around the former U mine and a giant landslide (having a volume of ~200 thousand m3) is in the development on the mountain slopes of Shekaftar. [...]
"
[emphasis added]
Source: Environmental Issues and Proposed Assessment of Feasibility of Remediation of the Legacy Sites of Mining and Milling in the Area of Sumsar-Shekaftar in Kyrgyzstan, by Isakbek Torgoev, Alex Jakubick, in: Broder J. Merkel, Alireza Arab (Eds.), Uranium - Past and Future Challenges, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Uranium Mining and Hydrogeology, 2014, p. 147-154
General ·
Baghalchur
> See also Issues for:
New Mining Projects ·
Operating Mines ·
Legislation & Regulations
> See also Data for:
Deposits, Proposed and Active Mines ·
Old Mines and Decommissioning
Concern over radioactive waste left at former Baghalchur uranium mine
Speakers at a seminar held on July 17, 2006, did not rule out the possibility of health hazards out of nuclear activities in Dera Ghazi Khan. However, they said, no such scientific evidence could be found there.
The seminar on "nuclear waste management" was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) .
(Dawn July 18, 2006)
Prof. Khalid Rashid, a former PAEC employee who currently teaches Mathematical Modelling and Simulation at the Bahria University, in Islamabad, says what is important is to carry out a survey that would reveal "the effects on health of the people of Baghalchur".
Looking at the records for the last 30 years, that are kept in the district hospital, would give some clue, says Rashid. He added that, as far back as in 1982, a medical doctor at the hospital had told him that the incidence of leukemia among Baghalchur residents was about six times higher than the national average.
(IPS May 31, 2006)
On May 19, 2006, a ruling party senator from Punjab accused the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) of dumping nuclear waste in a village near Dera Ghazi Khan without observing international safety standards, causing many deaths in the area.
Speaking on a point of order in the Senate, Sardar Jamal Khan Leghari of the Pakistan Muslim League said the PAEC had been mining uranium in the village for 25 years for one of its facilities near D. G. Khan and dumping the nuclear waste in the open.
He said the matter was of serious nature and it should be referred either to the standing committee on defence or environment. He said the dumping of the nuclear waste was affecting poor people from Baloch and Leghari tribes living in the area, several of whom had already died.
Later, talking to journalists, Mr Leghari said livestock mortality and diseases among people living in the Baghalchur village near D. G. Khan were on the rise due to uranium mining in the area. He said the people of the village working as mine labourers had adverse effects on their health. He claimed that life expectancy in the village had reduced to 40 years.
Replying to a question, he said some villagers had taken the matter to the Supreme Court but the court had decided to keep the proceedings secret.
After publication of such reports in a section of the press, PAEC authorities had claimed that the waste was being dumped underground in tunnels and there had been no radioactive effects of it on the area population and its environs.
(Dawn May 21, 2006)
Residents of Baghul Chur tribal area are concerned at the "unsafe dumping of atomic waste" in the area. Speaking at a news conference on March 18, 2006, representatives of Mubarki union council Khan Nazir Ahmed, Yaqoob Shah and Hafeezullah Shah demanded that atomic waste be removed from their land as it was causing harm to humans, animals, water and soil. They claimed that as many as 400 drums of atomic waste and other material were lying in the open.
They told the press that they had already lodged an application with the sessions court seeking preservation of atmosphere, land, water, human and animal health of the area of Mubarki Tuman Leghari. The District and Sessions Judges (D&SJ) had sent the application to the Law, Justice and Human Rights Commission, Islamabad.
Mining for uranium was started in Baghul Chur in 1977 and the project ended in 2000. The Atomic Energy Commission had asked the political assistant to dispose of the building established in Bagul Chur.
"The authorities concerned did not take required safety measures while winding up the project," they claimed.
Political assistant Tariq Bokhari said there were some stores in Baghul Chur but rejected claims of their adverse affects.
(Dawn Mar 19, 2006)
Pakistan closes Baghalchur mine
The existing uranium mining project in Baghalchar is to be 'wound up' from 30 November, 1999. According to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the project is closing because the reserves have been worked out and not because of 'foreign pressure' as some politicians have apparently alleged. (UI News Briefing 99.42)
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Japan to export residual uranium ore to U.S. for processing rather than disposing of it domestically
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) plans to export a total of 125 metric tons of nuclear-related materials including uranium ore collected domestically and overseas in connection with the organization's uranium prospecting projects in Japan, the Mainichi Shimbun has learned.
The JAEA will outsource the work to refine uranium ore into fuel for nuclear power reactors, and have the contractor purchase the refined material. This effectively means that the Japanese government-funded research and development agency will be taking nuclear-related materials that have no use in Japan and discarding them overseas.
The materials to be exported include uranium ore and ion-exchange resin that has adsorbed uranium. These materials are currently stored at the JAEA's Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center in Okayama Prefecture and the Tono Geoscience Center in Gifu Prefecture, which controls the Tono Mine. Uranium ore had been mined from the Ningyo pass mining area, as well as being imported from overseas for research purposes. The uranium mines at the two centers are set to be closed down, and uranium ore needs to be removed for them to be shut down. [...]
The JAEA signed a 170-million-yen (roughly $1.24 million) contract with a subsidiary of Tokyo-based trading house Sojitz Corp. in December 2021 to handle projects including shipment of the materials overseas. The transportation is scheduled to be completed by February 2023. A U.S. company is seen as a likely candidate for the work, but no agreement has been finalized.
Under the plan, uranium ore will be transported to an overseas refining plant, whose cost will be covered by Japan. The refined "uranium concentrate" will then be purchased by the contractor, but as commission fees outweigh the sale price, Japan's costs will likely exceed revenue. [...]
(The Mainichi Aug. 20, 2022)
Highest concentrations of arsenic und uranium found in newts at Ningyo-Toge uranium mill tailings pond
"[...] Concentrations of As and U in the sediments and water samples were the highest at the mill tailings pond (MP) site, where post-U extraction remnants have been accumulated. Additionally, among the organisms analyzed the highest concentrations of these elements/isotopes were found in newts from MP. Considering data analyses of the whole-body element concentrations, bioaccumulation factors, and δ15N values for the organisms, it was concluded that newts might be the most vulnerable species in this location. [...]"
Environmental monitoring of trace elements and evaluation of environmental impacts to organisms near a former uranium mining site in Nigyo-toge, Japan, by Horai S, Murakami S, Sakoda A, et al., in: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2022 May 10;194(6):415
Work begins to ship uranium-contaminated soil to U.S. for disposal
On August 29, 2005, the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute began work to ship soil contaminated with uranium from Yurihama, Tottori Prefecture, to the United States for disposal. But the work was suspended almost immediately due to an accident after a bag containing the soil fell from a vehicle during transportation, causing slight injuries to a worker.
Of the 3,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil in the town's Katamo district, the institute will dispose of 290 cubic meters with a relatively high surface radiation level.
According to the institute's plan, the soil will be packed in a metal container and transported to Kobe port by truck. After clearing customs, it will be shipped to the United States on a container vessel in early October.
In the United States, a company which the institute has contracted will dispose of the soil at a cost of about 660 million yen [US$ 6 million], and use the extracted uranium for power generation there, institute officials said.
(Kyodo Aug. 29, 2005)
Work resumed on September 1, 2005, to ship uranium-contaminated soil from a mountain forest in Tottori Prefecture to the United States. Officials at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute said the delay will not affect its plan to ship the soil from the port in Kobe to Seattle in early October 2005.
(Japan Times Sep. 2, 2005)
As of September 17, 2005, the removal of about 290 cubic meters of soil from Yurihama was completed, and the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute plans to ship it in early October [2005?] from Kobe to Seattle. But, the institute has come up with no plan yet to remove the remaining 90 percent of the contaminated soil still left there. If the institute fails to remove all of the contaminated soil by May 2006, the institute must face an additional 50,000 yen [US$ 450] penalty to the residents.
(Kyodo Sep. 17, 2005)
The ship left Kobe on Oct. 3, 2005, and is heading for the Port of Everett, Washington. Ed Paskovskis, deputy port director, said the uranium levels are too low to require a hazardous materials label. Paskovskis said that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has determined that the soils don't require a special import license, another indicator of the low levels of the radioactive material.
(Everett Herald Oct. 4, 2005)
From Everett, the material is to be trucked to the White Mesa Mill south of Blanding, Utah, and processed into yellowcake. Unusable material will go into the tailings ponds behind the plant. Since the material is regarded as ore rather than waste, no special license by NRC nor the state is required; the processing of ore is covered by the mill's license.
(Salt Lake Tribune Oct. 5, 2005)
Nuclear institute plans to dispose of uranium-contaminated soil in the U.S.
The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute plans to ship soil contaminated with uranium from Yurihama, Tottori Prefecture, to the United States for disposal.
Of the 3,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil in the town's Katamo district, 290 cubic meters, with a relatively high surface radiation level, will be shipped, sources said.
According to the institute's plan, a U.S. firm will dispose of the soil in the United States at a total cost of more than 600 million yen [US$ 5.5 million], they said, adding it remains to be seen what will be done with the remaining 2,700 cubic meters of soil.
The soil originated from test-drilling of uranium by the institute's predecessor, the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation, around Ningyo Pass on the border of Tottori and Okayama prefectures in the 1950s and 1960s. The institute has been paying 750,000 yen [US$ 6900] per day to the local community since its failure to remove the soil by the court-set deadline of March 10, 2005.
(Kyodo June 12, 2005)
Nuclear institute ordered to remove uranium soil in Tottori
On June 25, 2002, the Tottori District Court ordered the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) to remove uranium-contaminated soil it had left abandoned for about 40 years in the prefecture.
It came to light in August 1988 that the public corporation had abandoned approximately 16,000 cubic meters of waste soil in the Katamo district of Togo, where it had dug up uranium from 1958 to 1962, according to the ruling. The level of radioactivity measured 1 meter above the surface of the soil exceeds the government-set upper limit.
Local residents demanded that JNC remove all the waste soil from the uranium collection site, forcing the corporation to ask some local governments for permission to accept the radioactive soil in their territories. But all of them refused to cooperate.
In August 1990, JNC and the neighborhood association concluded the agreement that the public corporation would remove some 3,000 cubic meters of highly radioactive soil from the site "with the cooperation of local governments concerned."
Judge Naito dismissed the claim by the public corporation that it cannot carry out its duty because it has not gained cooperation from local governments concerned in accepting the soil in other areas, which it says is a precondition for removing the soil from the site.
(Mainichi Shimbun, June 25, 2002)
On July 4, 2002, the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute decided to appeal the June 25 district court ruling ordering it to remove the uranium-contaminated soil.
(Kyodo, July 4, 2002)
On Oct. 14, 2004, the Supreme Court finalized an order for the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute to remove the uranium-contaminated soil.
(Kyodo, Oct. 14, 2004)
The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute will start paying a fine of 750,000 yen (US$ 7,210) a day to local residents in the western Japan town of Yurihama from March 11, 2005, for its failure to meet a deadline to remove uranium-contaminated soil left in the town, JNC officials said. JNC said it is seeking a place to temporarily store the tainted soil to end the payment of the fines as early as possible. (Kyodo March 11, 2005)
Protestors dump uranium mining waste on nuclear facility's doorstep
On Dec. 2, 1999, a residents group in Togocho, Tottori Prefecture, transported 800 kilograms of dirt left over from the former Ningyo-Toge uranium mine by truck 15 km to the Ningyo Pass facility owned by the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute in Kamisaibarason, Okayama Prefecture.
At Ningyo-Toge, uranium had been mined on a small scale from 1969 to 1982. In 1993/94, 3,000 metric tons of contaminated soil were transferred from the mining site to the current location, owned by now defunct Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Cooperation (Donen), for "temporary" storage. Since the expiration of the lease signed by the facility and local landowners three years ago, residents have been demanding that the dirt be removed by the end of the year.
(Yomiuri Shimbun Dec. 3, 1999)
