Soviet legacy: Central Asia to be cleared of uranium waste

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced a new strategic master plan to continue cooperation with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, as well as international organizations, to remediate areas contaminated with uranium waste by 2030. World Nuclear News reported on the development.

During the Soviet era, Central Asia was a major source of uranium, which was mined for more than 50 years. In addition, uranium ore was imported from other countries for processing. As a result, large volumes of radioactive contaminated material were left behind at mining sites and heavy metal waste storage facilities. Most of the mines were closed by 1995, but little to no remediation work was carried out either before or after their closure. The contaminated materials continue to pose risks to the environment and public health. Among the threats is the potential contamination of groundwater and surface water in key agricultural regions of the area.

According to the report, the IAEA Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) assists countries in the safe management of these areas, including radioactive and toxic waste. Since 2012, CGULS has been providing Central Asian countries with practical support in developing and implementing remediation strategies.

In 2017, the IAEA, the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Economic Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan adopted a strategic master plan for the environmental remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia. The plan outlines a safe and sustainable remediation strategy as well as practical implementation mechanisms.

The plan published in May 2018 identified seven former uranium production sites in Central Asia as top priorities:

In Kyrgyzstan: Mailuu-Suu, Ming-Kush, Shekaftar;

In Tajikistan: Degmay, Istiqlol;

In Uzbekistan: Charkesar, Yangiabad.

The total cost of remediating the seven sites was estimated at approximately $99 million. A revised Strategic Master Plan was signed in September 2021. The latest Strategic Master Plan was presented in Tashkent in October 2025 and is intended to guide the future activities of the IAEA, international organizations, and partner countries.

Under the new Strategic Master Plan, the total cost of the ERA remediation program is estimated at $125 million. This amount includes remediation works, project management services, contingency measures, and other program-related expenses.

Since 2017, four of the seven priority sites have been fully remediated, including two sites in Kyrgyzstan and two in Uzbekistan. The fifth site, located in Kyrgyzstan and considered one of the largest and most complex, is expected to undergo remediation until 2032. In Tajikistan, one site has been partially remediated, while work at another site is at the initial implementation stage.