Delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) inspected the results of reclamation work at former uranium mines in Yangiabad in Tashkent province, the press service of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change said.
The visit was made by Esther Harlander, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Safety Department and Head of the EBRD Environmental Remediation Account, accompanied by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, and Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development.
Reclamation work in Yangiabad began in March 2023 and was completed in August 2025. The project was implemented with the support of the EBRD. Prior to the commencement of work, consultations were held with local residents and relevant organizations.
During the project, a geodetic survey was conducted, access roads were built, old structures were dismantled, a contaminated waste disposal site was created, drainage and mine water infiltration systems were installed, shorelines were reinforced, and pipes for wastewater disposal were laid, said Vadim Korolev, head of the project management team.
He underscored that special attention was paid to compliance with occupational health, safety, and radiation safety standards, as well as to incorporating suggestions from Yangiabad residents.
The Minister of Ecology Aziz Abdukhakimov underscored that after the completion of reclamation work, the area must be improved to develop ecotourism and create recreational conditions for the population.
The plan is to plant shrubs, pave pedestrian paths, organize cleanup and improvement of adjacent areas, and install online video cameras to record potential environmental violations and ensure transparency of ongoing processes.
These measures, the Ministry of Ecology underscored, will not only preserve the achieved reclamation results but also transform the Yangiabad area into a safe, well-maintained, and attractive destination for residents and tourists.
Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Waste Management Agency, underscored that ongoing monitoring of these measures is underway, and areas with low radiation levels are being returned to nature. Educational outreach efforts are currently underway in these areas, involving the public and young people.
The environmental remediation project was implemented under a €9 million grant agreement between the EBRD and Uzbekistan. The funds are being used for the reclamation of sites in Yangiabad (Tashkent Province) and Charkesar-2 (Namangan Province).
Earlier, in August 2024, work was completed at Charkesar-2, where a full range of measures to eliminate the consequences of uranium ore mining were implemented.
The reclamation of former uranium mines is aimed at eliminating ionizing radiation, creating a safe environment and improving public health.
