In the territory of Uzbekistan there are tailings of Navoi Mining and Metallurgy Combine, which are located in the southern border of Kyzylkum Desert, central part of the republic. Currently the uranium is mined through the in-situ leaching method (ILM), which helps to avoid huge masses of dump sites and tailing pits having negative environmental impacts.
The main problems in Uzbekistan are connected with rock dumps and unconditioned mines formed during the period of exploration and exploitation of uranium mines through the underground work.
During the active work of mining ores the uranium was extracted, sorted (mainly manually) and then reprocessed in mining and metallurgic combine in Leninabad (presently «Vostokredmet», located in Khudgent, Tajikistan). Mining wastes and unconditioned ores were stored in close vicinity with the mining sites.
After mining activities are completed, the underground old mines were conserved, many of which were flooded by underground waters. These waters have high concentration of radionuclide and polluting adjacent territories. The situation like this is in the mining ores of Yangiabad (Tashkent oblast), abandoned deposit of Charkesar (Fergana Valley). Over the last 15 years there have been developed 10 projects in Uzbekistan for the purpose of reclamation of contaminated lands and former rock dumps at 14 sites.
Today all main risks of potential contamination with uranium mining wastes for Uzbekistan are related with transboundary tailings, located in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Source: Electronic discussion «Uranium Tailings: Local Problems, Regional Consequences, Global Solution», under topic: «Risks and Consequences of Uranium Tailings for Uzbekistan»