Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia

Central Asia played a significant role in providing uranium for the former Soviet Union, with mining operations spanning over 50 years. Despite the cessation of milling operations and closure of most mines by 1995, little effort was made to address the environmental and health risks posed by the radioactive waste and tailing sites.

To tackle these hazards, EBRD established the Environmental Remediation Account (ERA) in 2015 with the backing of Belgium, the European Union, Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States of America. As of end-2023, the fund has received contributions for more than €56 million.

The ERA aims to address the urgent threats posed by uranium legacy sites, particularly in the densely populated Fergana Valley shared by Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

With the ERA's support, preparatory work began in 2019 to remediate two pilot sites in the Kyrgyz Republic, which were successfully completed on schedule and under budget by 2021. Remediation efforts at a more complex site in Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyz Republic, will commence in 2024.

In Uzbekistan, ERA operations started in September 2021, focusing on remediation works at the Yangiabad and Charkesar sites after completing preparatory activities.

The ERA's long-term goal is to eliminate the legacy of uranium mining and processing in Central Asia, ensuring a safe environment for local communities. While significant progress has been made, sustained commitment and additional financing are necessary to address the remaining high-risk sites.

For instance, Min Kush in the Kyrgyz Republic, one of the initial sites targeted for remediation, has seen successful completion of remediation efforts, marking a crucial step towards addressing the dangers posed by abandoned uranium sites in Central Asia.