Rosatom to Neutralize Hazardous Chemical Waste at Plant in Kyrgyzstan

Rosatom is set to begin work to eliminate hazardous chemicals stockpiled at the Kristall plant in Tash-Kumyr, in Kyrgyzstan’s Jalal-Abad region. The Kristall plant, built in 1989 as a key facility of the Soviet electronics industry to produce polycrystalline silicon, has since become a high-risk environmental site. Hazardous chemical waste accumulated on its premises poses a threat to both the environment and public health. The plant has been bankrupt since 2010. The site contains 49 tanks holding a total of 155 tons of hazardous chemical residues, including trichlorosilane and silicon tetrachloride. In October 2024, Rosatom conducted a technical audit of the facility, revealing the deteriorated condition of the storage tanks. Prolonged inactivity has left the aging infrastructure in poor shape, increasing the risk of structural failure and depressurization. On April 14, in Bishkek, Rosatom and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergency Situations discussed technological solutions for neutralizing the chemicals. According to Rosatom, the first phase of the cleanup is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. This stage will focus on bringing the chemical storage tanks to a safe condition. It also involves the installation of a dual emergency protection system and the introduction of independent environmental monitoring. The proposed neutralization methods have been approved by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision. By the end of 2026, Rosatom aims to eliminate the risk of leaks and uncontrolled emissions by stabilizing the tanks and ensuring safe conditions for further handling of the hazardous substances. In 2027, the project will enter its second phase, focusing on the on-site neutralization of the chemicals as the preferred solution. Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kanatbek Chynybayev said the situation at the Kristall plant remains environmentally challenging and requires a comprehensive response. “Our primary objective is to eliminate potential health risks to residents of Tash-Kumyr and lift the state of emergency in the area. Rosatom’s expertise has been engaged to address this issue. As part of this collaboration, a technological strategy has been developed that will allow the threats to be neutralized within the specified timeframe and return the site to a safe condition,” he said.

Tajikistan Struggles to Fund Cleanup of Soviet-Era Uranium Waste

Tajikistan continues to grapple with the extensive environmental legacy of the Soviet-era uranium industry. Tens of millions of tons of radioactive waste still pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Addressing this legacy will require hundreds of millions of dollars and sustained international support. Uranium mining in Tajikistan began in the 1940s in areas including Taboshar, Adrasman, and nearby settlements. After mining operations were shut down, the country was left with abandoned mines, underground tunnels, and extensive tailings ponds containing more than 55 million tons of radioactive waste across an area exceeding 170 hectares. In 2023, partial rehabilitation work was completed in Taboshar, where 7.6 million tons of waste, representing 17.5 percent of the total, were remediated. The Tajik government has agreed to continue cooperation with Russia, which is expected to allocate approximately $17 million for the reclamation of selected facilities. However, the most hazardous areas remain unaddressed. These include early-stage Taboshar tailings ponds, underground workings, and the Degmai complex. International consultants Wismut GmbH, WISUTEC GmbH, and GEOS estimate that restoring the Taboshar facilities will require approximately $9.5 million, while reclamation of the Degmai tailings pond is expected to cost about $27 million. All of these sites are included in the International Atomic Energy Agency master plan and have been designated as funding priorities. Progress remains slow, largely due to limited financial resources. Despite some external support, current funding levels fall far short of what is required. To date, only 17 percent of contaminated sites have been decontaminated. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development special environmental rehabilitation account for Central Asia has yet to become fully operational. In 2025, the government approved a national rehabilitation program covering the 2025 to 2030 period. The plan includes legislative updates, project design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring. Preliminary estimates suggest Tajikistan will need more than $110 million by 2030 to complete its remediation objectives. Given the scale of the required investment, international financing remains essential. Tajikistan is working to transform its uranium legacy into a manageable and transparent project, but without sustained international partnership, the challenge is unlikely to be resolved.