DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, February 6. Plans are underway to rehabilitate three more uranium tailing ponds in the Sughd region of Tajikistan, the mayor of Istiqlol city in the region, Kayum Mahmudzoda, said during a press conference, Trend reports.
According to Mahmudzoda, these tailing ponds are located in cities and districts throughout northern Tajikistan and hold millions of tons of radioactive waste.
He stated that conversations with representatives of the Russian corporation Rosatom were held on the sidelines of the BRICS+ meeting in St. Petersburg over this proposal. The city authorities hope that the reconstruction effort will continue until 2024.
The mayor noted that about 36 million tons of radioactive waste are currently stored in Istiqlol, Ghafurov, and Adrasman. These facilities were built between 1945 and 1970 to process uranium. He underscored the importance of implementing such work for the development of eco-friendly industries, attracting investments, and improving the living conditions of local residents.
In October 2023, Rosatom completed the reclamation work at the Taboshar sites in Istiqlol city. The implementation of the program involved the efforts and resources of four countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, with organizational support from the Executive Committee of the CIS.