Russia’s Central Design & Technology Institute (TsPTI – Tsentralnii Proektno-Tekhnologicheskii Institut), part of Rosaotm’s Fuel Division, TVEL, has begun carrying out work on the rehabilitation of the uranium heritage industrial complex workshops at the № 3 site in the village of Istiklol, Taboshar, in the Sughd region.
The work is being carried out within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Tajikistan. Rehabilitation measures are aimed at improving environmental situation and creation of conditions for further safe use of the territory.
In June, TsPRI received approval from the Tajikistan state supervisory authorities for design documentation for the rehabilitation of two uranium legacy sites – tailings ponds in Adarasman and industrial complex workshops at the № 3 site in Taboshar in the Sughd region.
Rosatom leads systematic work on the rehabilitation of Soviet mining dump lands period in neighbouring countries (Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). Central Asia was an important source of uranium in the former Soviet Union. A large amount of radioactively contaminated material was placed in mining waste dumps and tailing sites and now poses a threat to the environment and the health of the population. All the facilities are now being brought into line with international radiation standards and IAEA safety norms using the best Russian practices.
“Start of work on the Taboshar site is another important stage in our ongoing work to eliminate the uranium heritage in Tajikistan,” said TsPTI Director General Yakov Nikonov. “The project provides for the use of modern engineering solutions and strict compliance security requirements. Its implementation will improve the environmental situation, create conditions for the development of the region and improvement quality of life for local residents.”
The CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States] Interstate Target Program (MTsP – Mezhgosudarstvennoi Tselevoi Programmi), Reclamation of territories of states exposed to uranium mining, has already reclaimed tailings ponds in the villages of Min‑Kush and Kadzhi‑Say in Kyrgyzstan, as well as the dump of an ore factory and four industrial site tailings ponds in Taboshar in Tajikistan.
Work is now underway based on new intergovernmental agreements. This includes work on the dumps of Too‑Moyun, Kyzyl‑Zhar and Kadzhi‑Sai in Kyrgyzstan (planned to be completed by 2030). In addition to the Taboshar workshops, rehabilitation of a tailings dam in Adrasman is planned for Tajikistan.
At the workshop site № 3 a mudflow channel will be built, combining two streams: Sai Archasoy and Sai Utkem Suu. Its purpose is to protect the insulating screen from debris flows (a mixture of water, mud, large rocks and tree debris), which can form in the mountainous regions of the Sughd region. Work will also entail moving more than 65,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil.
Since 2019, TVEL has been an industry integrator for the business area dealing with nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities and radioactive waste. In 2021, the CIS Economic Council appointed TVEL as the basic organisation for used fuel, radwaste and decommissioning of nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities. The basic organisation provides assistance to CIS member states within the framework multilateral and bilateral cooperation with a view to providing comprehensive solutions the field of handling used nuclear fuel, radioactive waste and nuclear weapons and the implementation of specific projects at nuclear and radiation hazardous sites.
TsPTI specialises in object design and manufacture of equipment for nuclear facilities involved with energy, science and nuclear medicine. Directions of the company’s activities also include decommissioning of nuclear and radiation hazardous facilities and reclamation of radiation-contaminated areas.
