Uranium legacy of Soviet Union in Tajikistan: problems and ways forward

Full text: Currently, the serious radiological and ecological problems in Tajikistan are overcoming consequences of uranium mining and milling activities which were intensively developed during the Soviet Union period. After the collapse of USSR, uranium ore extraction in Tajikistan stopped due to the completion or deposits within the territory of the Republic. Remediation of mining and milling activities sites became the most urgent once all mines were closed. The uranium legacy of Soviet Union in Tajikistan started in 1944, when the uranium concentrate production was initiated in pilot plant of the city of Gafurov. Six small plants on uranium oxide production were constructed in the north of the Republic in 1945, of which only one big plant operated at the end of 1960 in the city of Chkalovsk. After reconstruction in 1980 this plant reprocessed up to 1 million tons of ore per year and produced a sulfuric solution containing uranium up to 200 g/l. The plant produced approximately 2000 tons of uranium oxide per year. During the second half of 20 century Tajikistan was one of the uranium raw materials suppliers in USSR: more than 20% of produced uranium in USSR was delivered from Tajikistan. Remediation activities were carried out only in small parts of sites which were located in places which were close to residential areas. Thus, uranium ore processing dumps were covered by solid layer of soil of a thickness of 1 m in the densely-populated district of the city of Gafurov, which considerably reduced radon exhalation and gamma-emission dose rates on the surface of the dump. Nevertheless, dumps there continue to remain a risk factor since they are located sometimes only 50 m distant from neighboring residential houses. For example, Degmay tailing dump, which is located in 2 km distance from the nearest residential settlement, is not covered at all and there is a free access to public and cattle pasture on the surface of the tailing dump, where vegetation has been grown up. Another essential limitation for carrying out the remediation measures is lack of relevant infrastructure. In this regard the regulatory authority of Tajikistan should solve many problems including: -Assessment of radiological consequences on uranium industry sites; -Assessment of remediation measures conditions; -Analysis of compliancies with international standards and recommendations; -Action plan development on minimization of uranium industry site impact on public and environment; -Purchase of analytical equipment for monitoring. Obviously, solving of remediation problem of former uranium industries in Tajikistan is a great importance, since significant number of sites and uranium ores reprocessing facilities are located in the basin of Syrdarya River which flows through densely-populated Fergana valley with population more than 20 million people. In conclusion it is necessary to mention that implementation of international projects with IAEA active participation facilitated to expanding cooperation and mutual understanding among Central Asian countries in issues of environmental protection. The re-establishment of radiation control system on former sites of the uranium industry of the Republic of Tajikistan is the first step to their full remediation.