The Fergana valley in Central Asia is facing a potential nuclear disaster as dams holding vast amounts of uranium mine tailings have been deemed unstable, according to recent studies. The region, home to 16 million people and vital farmlands, could be rendered uninhabitable if the dams collapse, releasing toxic waste into the river system used for irrigation.
The dams, holding approximately 700,000 cubic meters of uranium mine tailings in Kyrgyzstan, have become unreliable following a 2017 landslide. Experts warn that a further landslide or earthquake could lead to a catastrophic event, displacing millions in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Sebastian Hess, an engineer with German firm G.E.O.S. contracted by the Kyrgyz government, highlighted the dangers of the liquid waste in the dams, stating that it could contaminate agricultural produce if it flows into the river. The foundations of the dams were weakened by water during the 2017 landslide, bringing the river closer to the tailings.
The European Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are working on a project to reinforce the facilities and move the hazardous waste away from the banks of the Mailuu-Suu river. The estimated cost for relocating the waste is between 22-€25 million ($23-26 million).
The Mailuu-Suu area, known for being one of the world’s largest uranium ore dumps developed by the Soviet Union, is now at risk of a Chernobyl-scale disaster if immediate action is not taken to prevent the potential collapse of the unstable dams.