Russia launches remediation of legacy uranium sites at Taboshar facility in Tajikistan

Rosatom has recently launched remediation work at the legacy uranium production site of Workshop No. 3 at the Taboshar facility in Tajikistan, through its fuel division subsidiary, the Central Design and Technology Institute (JSC CPTI). The site is located in the village of Istiklol, Sughd Region, Republic of Tajikistan.

The remediation is carried out under the intergovernmental agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in remediating areas affected by uranium mining and ore production, with the goal of improving the local environmental conditions and creating conditions for the future safe use of the area.

Prior to the commencement of the work, JSC CPTI had completed remediation design and estimate documentation for two facilities in the Sughd Region: Workshop No. 3 at the Taboshar facility and the tailings pond near the village of Adrasman. The relevant documents have been approved by regulatory authorities.

Yakov Nikonov, CEO of JSC CPTI, stated that the launch of the Taboshar project is an important step in addressing Tajikistan's legacy uranium issues. The project will employ modern engineering technologies and strictly comply with safety requirements; its implementation will help improve the environmental situation, create conditions for regional development, and enhance the quality of life of local residents.

It is reported that Rosatom is continuously advancing the remediation of legacy mining waste piles left from the Soviet era in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The site rehabilitation employs Russian engineering practices and references international standards and IAEA radiation safety regulations.

Previously, Russian experts had already carried out uranium site remediation in Tajikistan. In 2023, remediation projects at multiple locations in the Taboshar mining area were completed ahead of schedule, including a waste pile from a low-grade uranium ore processing plant and four tailings ponds. The recently concluded interstate targeted program also covered the remediation of tailings ponds near the villages of Min-Kush and Kadzhi-Say in Kyrgyzstan.

Currently, the parties continue their cooperation under a new intergovernmental agreement. Remediation work at the Tuyuk-Muyun, Kyzyl-Zhar, and Kadzhi-Say waste dumps in Kyrgyzstan is underway and scheduled for completion by 2030; the remediation of the Adrasman tailings dam in Tajikistan is also in the preparatory stage. JSC CPTI's scope of activities includes the design, engineering, and equipment manufacturing for nuclear energy, research, and nuclear medicine facilities, as well as the decommissioning of nuclear and radiation-hazardous facilities and the remediation of radioactively contaminated areas.