Nuclear heritage of Soviet union in Tajikistan: problems and ways forward

During 46 years from 1945 till 1991 the hydrometallurgical plants of Tajikistan, which were located in Taboshar, Adrasman, Khujand, B.Gafurov regions, produced 80000 tons of uranium oxide which was used by USSR for military and energy purposes. Thus, on the territory of Northern Tajikistan accumulated radioactive wastes as a legacy site of Soviet Union. Currently on the territory of Northern Tajikistan more than 200 million tons of waste has been accumulated in 13 tailings including 55 million tons of uranium wastes located in 10 tailings. The total area of these tailings is 200 hectares. They are located in close proximity to inhabited areas as well as in upper reaches of major rivers as Amu-Darya and Sir-Darya. It is necessary to mention that rehabilitation measures were carried out on small area of these sites, and were not carried out at all in many of them and special funds for radiation safety restoration not were established. Currently tailings of Taboshar, Adrasman and Degmay tailings are in critical condition. Specific works are carried out on rehabilitation of uranium wastes: - There are IAEA technical Cooperation projects on monitoring of tailings in northern Tajikistan. - A det of monitoring equipment were received by Republic of Tajikistan as part of these projects. Employees of NRSA and SE 'Vostokredmet' were trained. - Negotiations are carried out with international financial organizations for disposal and rehabilitation of wastes. Necessary measures: - Conservation of mine dumps - Repairs of affected conserved layer - Volume of rehabilitation and providing territory for household use - Organization of permanent monitoring over tailings condition Threats: - Sites are located in seismic zone - Sites are located in Syr-Darya basin - Mud flow became frequent - 4 washing out cases of tailings in Taboshar and Adrasman regions are registered. (author)