Work on reclamation of Tuyuk-Suu tailing dump began in Min-Kush village. Press service of the President reported.
There are four tailings in Min-Kush: Taldy-Bulak, Tuyuk-Suu, Kak and Dalneye. To solve the problems associated with uranium tailings in the territories of the CIS member states, the interstate target program «Reclamation of the territories of EurAsEC member states affected by uranium mining» has been implemented since 2013. Its members are Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
As part of the program, the Russian Rosatom state corporation, together with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, is working on the reclamation of the tailings.
Reclamation of tailings in Kadzhi-Sai village, Issyk-Kul region, was completed in 2019. To date, the work has already been completed and the site has been brought into a radiation-safe condition. Reclamation work has been carried out at Kak site, the tailing dump was covered with a protective layer and now it is not in danger, and Taldy-Bulak is transferred to Dalneye tailing dump. This work will be completed by autumn 2023.
The uranium tailings in Min-Kush village, Zhumgal district, according to the information of specialists, are currently causing the greatest concern, since a landslide-prone area is located just below. If it descends, it will block the narrow valley of Tuyuk-Suu river, which in turn flows into Min-Kush, Kokomeren and Naryn rivers. Destruction of the tailing dump with radioactive substances may occur. An emergency and extremely unfavorable natural situation has developed at this facility, associated with the possible flooding of the tailing dump during a landslide (Tuyuk-Suu).
Earlier, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with the population of Min-Kush village, listened to their concerns about the neutralization and disposal of radioactive waste, and safety during transportation. The head of state noted that if the level of radiation background at this facility during the work being carried out exceeds the permissible norms, then the reclamation will be stopped.
Sadyr Japarov stressed that the work on evacuation of uranium waste will be carried out strictly within the framework of existing rules and international requirements for reclamation.
At the same time, all sanitary norms and technical safety rules will be observed at the facilities. As a result of the meeting, the overwhelming majority of residents of Min-Kush village spoke with approval about the start of reclamation work at these sites.
Therefore, the process has been launched. In the presence of local residents and relevant specialists, the truck was checked for radioactivity, which showed that the permissible background radiation level was not exceeded. Sadyr Japarov monitored the start of reclamation work carried out in Min-Kush online. In particular, he followed the process and rules for organizing freight transportation by road.
The evacuation of the tailings was carried out taking into account the interests and opinions of local residents to ensure their radiation safety.
The head of state instructed to ensure safety during work with radioactive waste and during the transportation of uranium waste, emphasizing that ensuring the safety of people and protecting the environment from the negative impact of numerous tailings in the country are among the priority tasks of the state.
