During the visit, the working group got acquainted with the work carried out by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development within the framework of the reclamation project of the former Charkesar-2 uranium deposit.

"The main point of this project is the construction of two ditches, partly made of reinforced concrete and gabion, with a total length of 690 meters. During the work period from January to April 2024, we closed two mines with a concrete coating and completed all reclamation work successfully," said Fulk Wagner, head of the project management group.

Work on the Chorkesar-2 facility started in early 2024. During this period, consultations were held with representatives of the local population and relevant organizations. To date, a geodetic survey of reclaimed areas has been carried out, access roads with a length of 550 m have been built, a concrete and stone structure with a volume of 158 m3 has been demolished along the canals, as well as reinforced concrete structures with a volume of 106 m3.

"What is the benefit of this project. Children can fall into mines where there is huge ionizing radiation. Therefore, based on the project, we carried out work by completely concreting and filling the mines and covering them with a clean layer of earth on top", said Vadim Korolev, a civil engineer at the project management group under the Ministry of Ecology.

Mirlan Jumakadir Uulu, the head of the consortium of the Kyrgyz Republic, who carried out land reclamation work on the territory, said that special ditches had been dug in Charkesar, which would prevent the danger of flooding during the flood period. 

In addition, channels with a length of 460 m and 398 m were dug on the territory, channels with a volume of 2687 m3 and 1800 m2 were strengthened, a gabion structure with a volume of 1007 m3 was installed, reinforced concrete structures in mines with a volume of 16.2 m3 and 52.2 m3 were demolished, the mines were covered with concrete, and reclamation works were carried out in the fields.

It was also stressed that effective work has been carried out on the conservation of uranium mines in compliance with occupational safety and health measures.

"I am well aware of the situation in Charkesar village over the past 10 years. We live in a uranium district. So far, the leakage of polluted water from mines and other negative factors have harmed villagers and livestock. Later, given that uranium causes great harm to human health and lifestyle, a lot of work was done to eliminate it. As a result, Charkesar has become a safe territory for humans, free from uranium heritage", said Abbas Umrboev, a representative of the village population, and a deputy of the Pap district.

A meeting was also held with local residents on the work done within the framework of the project, during which their feedback and suggestions were heard.

For information: On September 1, 2022, a grant agreement was signed with the EBRD in the amount of 7 million euros for the reclamation of the former Yangiabad uranium deposits in the Tashkent region and Charkesar-2 in the Namangan region. This project is aimed at eliminating radiation at these facilities and turning them into a safe zone.