The document notes that significant reserves of uranium legacy, left over from the Soviet era, are concentrated in Kyrgyzstan. These sites are located in mountainous and seismically active areas, often near rivers and populated areas. The IAEA emphasizes that without a systematic and comprehensive reclamation, the situation with emissions of radioactive and toxic substances will inevitably worsen.
According to the agency's information, uranium mining in Kyrgyzstan began in the mid-1940s, and after the collapse of the USSR, dozens of tailings storage facilities and mines were left without proper oversight. In recent years, the republic has made significant progress in this area.
Reclamation work has been completed in Shekaftar and Min-Kush, including tailings storage facilities. The most challenging site, Mailuu-Suu, has been in an active phase since August 2023, and according to the IAEA's plan, reclamation here will last until 2032.
The total cost of the program for cleaning up uranium sites in Central Asia will amount to 113 million euros.
By 2025, it has been possible to attract 71.8 million euros, of which 61.5 million was allocated by the European Union. However, an additional 43 million euros is still required, without which the completion of all priority projects may be at risk. The document emphasizes that Kyrgyzstan's own resources are insufficient to address this issue, and international support is crucial.
The new plan also highlights sites that were previously not considered priorities, such as Kadji-Sai, Tuya-Moyun, and Kyzyl-Djar. Their reclamation will be carried out under an agreement with Russia, which has allocated funding of 21.4 million euros. This work will begin after the completion of the main priority projects.
The IAEA stresses that reclamation is only part of the overall task.
After the construction work is completed, Kyrgyzstan will need to conduct radiation and environmental monitoring for decades, as well as institutional control and safety in the reclaimed areas.
Thus, the new strategic plan effectively consolidates Kyrgyzstan's status as one of the leading countries in the region, where the scale and complexity of the uranium legacy require international solidarity and long-term responsibility from the state.
