DUSHANBE, November 11, 2015, Asia-Plus – The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan (MINT) has in partnership with the European Commission (EC) started working with a Consortium led by G.E.O.S. (Germany) and involving German companies WISUTEC; WISMUT, GRS and Amec Foster Wheeler (UK) to develop a Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment for the remediation of the uranium mining and processing legacy sites at Degmay and Taboshar, according to the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan.

The project is funded by the European Union under the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and the overall budget is 2.4 million EUR.  The Kick-Off Meeting of the project took place on November 2, 2015; the project has duration of 24 months.

This project is of high importance to Tajikistan as it not only aims at rehabilitating radioactively contaminated mine sites but also serves as a pilot project intended to set standards for similar rehabilitation projects in the region and to the benefit of the Tajik people.

The project will be implemented in consecutive steps, including an analysis of the current legal and regulatory framework of Tajikistan, an investigation of the various mine wastes and mining facilities and their radioactive and non-radioactive contamination and the resulting risks, followed by the development of suitable remediation strategies and solutions that are adapted to the local conditions.  The remediation solutions will be assessed with respect to their environmental impact and the improvement of the environmental and socio-economic situation after the works are finished.  The contractor will be in close contact with all relevant stakeholders and keep them up to date regarding project progress and major achievements.  The contractor will operate a project office in the Republic of Tajikistan that will serve as point of contact for project stakeholders and people interested in the project.

The project will be carried out in compliance with international best practice and the legislative/regulatory framework of the Republic of Tajikistan, thus maximizing the benefit for the country and its people.

The project is part of the overall environmental remediation strategy for the uranium legacy sites in Tajikistan and Central Asia.  The first phase is the development of concrete and detailed environmental remediation plans for high priority uranium legacy sites.  The second phase will be actual remediation works at selected legacy sites in Central Asia.  These works are envisaged to be financed under the EBRD multi-donor fund, Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia.

The EC''s Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) is promoting nuclear safety culture, responsible safe management of nuclear waste and nuclear safeguards.