EU to help in the rehabilitation of Tajikistan’s radioactive and contaminated sites and mines

Almaty. June 16. Silkroadnews – The EU will support the rehabilitation of radioactive and contaminated sites and mines in Tajikistan, Tajik Telegraph Agency (TajikTA) reported on Thursday.

“The EU made active steps to solve the “uranium legacy” problem of Tajikistan’s mining facilities. The joint mission by the European Commission (EC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Tajikistan will contribute to the rehabilitation of radioactive and contaminated sites and mines to mitigate public health and environment risks the Tajik people face,” states the publication.

The EU has already allocated more than €9 million to carry out the detailed environmental impact assessment and feasibility study at uranium mining facilities in Central Asia, including Tajikistan’s obsolete areas of Taboshar and Degmay.

The first meeting of the Assembly of Contributors to the Donors’ Account which funds are used for the recovery works shall take place in July 2016 in London chaired by the EC.

The European Union has contributed €16.5 million from the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) for these purposes.

According to TajikTA, Tajikistan is getting ready to begin the disposal of uranium wastes on two sites within its territory.

According to the UN data, there are about 55 million tonnes of radioactive waste in the territory of Tajikistan remained in the north of the country after the uranium mines operation and uranium processing.