RADIATION & RISK
Bulletin of the National Radiation and Epidemiological Registry
since 1992
About the Journal : 2026 : vol. 35, No. 1 : Uranium tailings of Central Asia: history and status. Review

Uranium tailings of Central Asia: history and status. Review

«Radiation and Risk», 2026, vol. 35, No. 1, pp.75-93

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2026-35-1-75-93

Authors

Nazarov Kh.M. – Dep. Director, D. Sc., Tech., Prof.
Zoitova M.A. – Sen. Researcher, Head of Sect.
Khakimova N.U. – Lead. Researcher, C. Sc., Chem. Contacts: 33, Rudaki Ave., Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 734025; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Mirsaidov U.М. – Chief Researcher, D. Sc., Chem., Prof., Academician of the NAST. CBRNS SA NAST.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Safety and Security Agency of National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Abstract

The history of the development of the nuclear industry in the former great power – the USSR – is inextricably linked with the uranium deposits of the Central Asian countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, which were then part of the USSR, where a powerful uranium raw material base was created. As a result of uranium ore mining and processing in the above-mentioned Central Asian countries, large volumes of radioactive tailings, dumps and low-grade ore dumps have formed on their territory. The purpose of this review article is to summarize the available materials on the history of the formation and current state of uranium tailings in the Central Asian countries. Since the mid-1940 years, uranium mining and processing activities have been carried out in Central Asia, particularly in the mountainous regions above the Syrdarya River and the Fergana Valley, where the Kyrgyzstan Re-public, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan are lo-cated. In the 1990 years, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, these activities largely ceased, leaving behind a uranium legacy of abandoned uranium mining and processing sites with waste rock and low-grade ore dumps and tailings ponds. There are 48 tailings storage facilities located within their territory, containing approximately 450 million tons of radioactive waste. Of these, 3 tailings storage facilities with a capacity of 246.2 million tons are located in Kazakhstan, 33 tailings storage facilities with a capacity of 77.3 million tons are in Kyrgyzstan, 10 tailings storage facilities with a capacity of 55 million tons are in Tajikistan, and 1 tailings storage facility with a capacity of 4 million tons is in Uzbekistan. In total, 812.6 million tons of waste from former uranium production, including dumps and off-balance ores, are located on the territory of Central Asian countries. Due to the fact that the technologies for mining and processing uranium ores in the countries of Central Asia were developed by the same research and design organizations within the USSR Ministry of Medium Machine Building, the characteristics of the uranium legacy in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are identical. The study of the radioecological state of the Central Asian countries shows that reclamation and other health measures, which are common to all countries, have not been fully implemented for many radioactive tailings. Based on the results of the analysis, practical recommendations are given for strengthening coordination and interaction for their comprehensive solution.

Key words
Central Asia, uranium tailings, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, monito-ring, radiation impact, population, ecosystem, reclamation, radiobiology, environmental health, public health.

References

1. Kruglov A.K. How the nuclear industry was created in the USSR. 2nd ed., rev. Moscow, TsNIIatominform, 1995. 380 p. (In Russian).

2. Vetrov V.I., Krotkov V.V., Kunichenko V.V. Creation of enterprises for the extraction and processing of ura-nium ores. Creation of the first Soviet nuclear bomb. Moscow, Energoatomizdat, 1995, pp. 170-198. (In Russian).

3. Filtsev Yu., Larin V., Razykov Z. Pioneers of the secret atom (50 years of the firstborn of the USSR atomic industry for the extraction and processing of uranium in Tajikistan, 1945-1995). Chkalovsk, SE "Vostokred-met", 1995. 69 p. (In Russian).

4. Eytaliev A. The legacy of uranium production: problems and solutions. The uranium legacy of the Soviet Union in Central Asia: problems and solutions: Proceedings of the International Seminar. Dushanbe, 2012, pp. 65-68. (In Russian).

5. Nesterov Yu.V., Petrukhin N.P. The nuclear industry's raw material base: events, people, and achievements. Ed.: N.P. Petrukhin. Moscow, Atomredmetzoloto, 2015. 288 p. (In Russian).

6. Safe management of waste from uranium ore mining and processing in Central Asian countries (2005-2008). IAEA Report (Working papers). Regional technical cooperation project RER/9/086. Vienna, IAEA, 2008. 164 p. (In Russian).

7. Mirsaidov I., Nazarov Kh.M., Salomov Dzh.A. Tajikistan's radioactive tailings: problems and solutions. Ed.: U.M. Mirsaidov. Dushanbe, Arshan, 2022. 206 p. (In Russian).

8. Kamchybekov D.K. The state of tailings dumps and radioactive dumps and issues of ensuring environmental safety. Vestnik KRSU, 2007, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 108-110. (In Russian).

9. Mirsaidov U.M., Khakimov N., Nazarov Kh.M. The Soviet Union's nuclear legacy in Tajikistan: problems and solutions. Radioecological monitoring of the bioenvironment and radiation safety of Tajikistan. Dushanbe, AYaRB AN RT, 2010, pp. 58-64. (In Russian).

10. Akhmedov M.Z., Nazarov Kh.M., Rakhimberdiev Sh.A., Mirsaidov U. Natural radionuclides in soils in the area of the Adrasman tailings dump. Doklady NAN Tadzhikistana – Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, 2023, vol. 6, no. 5-6, pp. 331-336. (In Russian).

11. Mirsaidov U., Nazarov Kh.M., Boboev B.D., Rahimberdiev Sh.A., Mukhamedova S.G., Akhmedov M.Z. Assessment of the potential radiation hazard of the Adrasman tailing dump (Tajikistan) for the population living around it. J. Health Environ. Res., 2022, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 151-158.

12. Nazarov Kh.M., Mirzoev D.I., Yunusov M.M., Abdulloeva T.B. History of the emergence and current state of the Gafurov tailings dump for uranium production waste. Integration of science and production as a mechanism for the development of the mining and metallurgical industry of the Republic of Tajikistan: Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference. Buston, GMIT, 2016, pp. 70-73. (In Russian).

13. Khakimov N., Nazarov Kh.M., Mirsaidov I.U. Physicochemical and technological principles of processing uranium industry waste. Ed.: U. Mirsaidov. Dushanbe, Donish, 2011. 125 p. (In Russian).

14. Mirsaidov U.M., Khakimov N., Nazarov Kh.M., Kamalov D.D. Processing of cost-effective waste for uranium mining. Doklady AN Respubliki Tadzhikistan – Reports of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajiki-stan, 2005, vol. 68, no. 7, pp. 55-61. (In Russian).

15. Nazarov Kh.M., Ermatov K.A., Bakhronov S.M., Mukhamedova S.G., Mirsaidov U.M. Assessment of the potential radiation hazard of the Digmai tailings pond (Tajikistan) for the population living around it. Radiatsion-naya gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2019, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 115-121. (In Russian).

16. Mirsaidov U.M., Akhmedov M.Z., Makhmudova M.M., Shosafarova Sh.G. Radiation-hygienic monitoring at uranium legacy sites in northern Tajikistan. Sakharov readings 2019: environmental problems of the 21st century: Proceedings of the International Conference. Part 2. Minsk, IVTs Minfina, 2019, pp. 276-279. (In Russian).

17. Nazarov Kh.M., Salomov Dzh.A., Khakimov N., Salomov F.Dzh., Rakhmatov N.N. Radiation monitoring of the Digmay tailings storage facility. Izvestiya AN Respubliki Tadzhikistan. Otdelenie fiziko-matematich-eskikh, khimicheskikh, geologicheskikh i tekhnicheskikh nauk – News of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. Department of Physical, Mathematical, Chemical, Geological and Technical Sciences, 2015, no. 2(159), pp. 78-82. (In Russian).

18. Khakimov N., Nazarov Kh.M., Mirsaidov I.U. Physico-сhemical and manufacturing basis for uranium con-centrates production from wastes of hydrometallurgical plants and technical waters. Ed.: academician ASRT U. Mirsaidov. Dushanbe, Mavlavi, 2012. 120 p.

19. Mirsaidzoda I., Akhmedov M.Z., Barotov B.B., Nazarov Kh.M., Khamidov F.A. Radioecological situation in the Republic of Tajikistan. Ed.: U.M. Mirsaidov. Dushanbe, Donish, 2021. 114 p. (In Russian).

20. Khakimova N.U., Zoitova M.A. Istiklol uranium tailings: history, problems, and solutions. Radiatsionnaya gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2023, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 102-113. (In Russian).

21. Nazarov Kh.M., Ermatov K.A., Salomov D.A., Bakhronov S.M., Mirsaidov U.M. Assessment of the poten-tial radiation hazard of former uranium sites for the population of Istiklol, Republic of Tajikistan. Radiatsionnaya gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2018, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 83-90. (In Russian).

22. Nazarov Kh.M., Akhmedov M.Z., Rakhimberdiev Sh., Mirsaidov U.M. Radioecological monitoring of the Istiklol tailings ponds before and after reclamation work. Current issues of radiation hygiene: Proceedings of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference. St. Petersburg, 2023, pp. 210-214. (In Russian).

23. Salomov Dzh.A., Mirsaidov I.U., Barotov A.M. On the need for rehabilitation and reclamation of tailings dumps in the Taboshar region. Uranium legacy of the Soviet Union in Central Asia: problems and solutions: Proceedings of the International Seminar. Dushanbe, 2012, pp. 30-35. (In Russian).

24. Nazarov Kh.M., Salomov Dzh.A., Khakimov N., Rakhmatov N.N., Ermatov K.A. Environmental aspects of the rehabilitation of uranium tailings dumps in Istiklol, Republic of Tajikistan. Izvestiya AN Respubliki Tadzhikistan. Otdelenie fiziko-matematicheskikh, khimicheskikh, geologicheskikh i tekhnicheskikh nauk – News of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. Department of Physical, Mathematical, Chemical, Geological and Technical Sciences, 2015, no. 2(159), pp. 87-92. (In Russian).

25. Mirsaidov U.M., Nazarov Kh.M., Makhmudova M.M., Murodov Sh.R., Ermatov K.A., Akhmedov M.Z. Comparative assessment of the potential radiation hazard of tailings dumps in the Sughd region of Tajikistan. Radiatsiya i risk – Radiation and Risk, 2022, vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 118-127. (In Russian).

26. Rakhmatov N.N. Physicochemical principles of obtaining uranium concentrates from sandy loam soils and mine waters: avtoref. diss. cand. sci. chem. Dushanbe, 2016. 22 p. (In Russian).

27. Khakimov N., Mirsaidov I.U., Akhmedov A.Z. Purification of mine and drainage waters from uranium. Modern problems of chemistry, chemical technology and metallurgy: Proceedings of the Republican Scientific and Practical Conference. Dushanbe, 2009, pp. 238-239. (In Russian).

28. Uranium tailings in Central Asia: national challenges, regional consequences, global solutions. Framework document for the International Forum. Geneva, 2009. 44 p. (In Russian).

29. Radioactive Mangystau. Available at: https://www.caravan.kz/gazeta/radioaktivnyjj-mangistau-51405/ (Accessed 07.08.2025). (In Russian).

30. Uranium Quarry No. 4. Available at: https://ecocitizens.kz/uranovyj-karer-4-2 (Accessed 07.08.2025). (In Russian).

31. Stegnar P. Uranium tailings: local problems, regional consequences, global solutions: Proceedings of the electronic discussion. April 30, 2009. Available at: https://www.caa-network.org/wp-content/up-loads/2015/04/UraniumTailings.pdf (Accessed 07.08.2025). (In Russian).

32. Khusainov A.T., Sofronova L.I. The impact of uranium tailings of the Stepnogorsk hydrometallurgical plant on the pollution of surface and groundwater. Vestnik nauki KazATU im. S. Seyfullina – Herald of Science of S. Seifullin Kazakh AGRO Technical University, 2011, vol. 71, no. 4, pp. 44-50. (In Russian).

33. Dzhenbaev B.M., Zholboldiev B.T., Kaldybaev B.K., Karmysheva U.Zh., Zhumaliev T.N. Radioecological assessment of uranium tailings in Kyrgyzstan. Issledovanie zhivoy prirody Kyrgyzstana – Study of Wildlife in Kyrgyzstan, 2018, no. 1/2, pp. 69-83. (In Russian).

34. Zhumaliev T.N. Ecology of the soil cover of the uranium natural-technogenic province of Min-Kush: dis. cand. sci. biol. Bishkek, 2023. 148 p. (In Russian).

35. Dzhenbaev B.M., Kaldybaev B.K., Zholboldiev B.T. Problems of former uranium production facilities and radioecology in Kyrgyzstan. Problems of radioecology and waste management of uranium production in Central Asia: Proceedings of the International Scientific and Methodological Conference. Bishkek, 2011, pp. 46-55. (In Russian).

36. Torgoev I.A., Charskiy V.P. Environmental impacts of radioactive ore mining in Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, OTsEI, 1998. 55 p. (In Russian).

37. Dzhenbaev B.M., Kaldybaev B.K., Zholboldiev B.T. Problems of radioecology and radiation safety of former uranium production facilities in Kyrgyzstan. Radiatsionnaya biologiya. Radioekologiya – Radiation Biology. Radioecology, 2013, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 428-431. (In Russian).

38. Zholboldiev B.T. Current radiation situation in the Kadji-Sai – Ak-Terek area of the Issyk-Kul region. Nauka, novye tekhnologii i innovatsii Kyrgyzstana – Science, new Technologies and Innovations of Kyrgyzstan, 2016, no. 1, pp. 111-113. (In Russian).

39. Zholboldiev B.T. Radioecological assessment of contamination of the territory of the former uranium produc-tion site Kadji-Sai. Bishkek, Maxprint, 2008, pp. 8-20. (In Russian).

40. Miryahyaev V.M., Tilloboev Kh.I., Nazarov Kh.M., Makhmudova M.M., Mirsaidov U.M. The content of 210Po and 210Pb isotopes in the water of the artificial lake in Istiklol, Republic of Tajikistan, and their bioac-cumulation in the body of fish. Radiatsionnaya gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2019, vol. 12, no. 2 (Sp. issue), pp. 50-53. (In Russian).

41. Mirsaidov U.M., Nazarov Kh.M., Shosafarova Sh.G., Makhmudova M.M. Radon monitoring in Northern Tajikistan. Radiatsionnaya gigiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2020, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 68-73. (In Russian).

42. Berdibaeva A.B., Bykovchenko Yu.G., Zhunushov A.T. Tukhvatshin R.R. The impact of uranium tailings on biosphere objects in Kyrgyzstan. Meditsina Kyrgyzstana – Medicine of Kyrgyzstan, 2014, no. 2, pp. 132-134. (In Russian).

43. Dodkhoeva M.F., Sharipova M.I. Morbidity among the female population in a region of ecological distress. Doklady AN Respubliki Tadzhikistan – Reports of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, 2017, vol. 60, no. 11-12, pp. 626-623. (In Russian).

Full-text article (in Russian)