Uzbekistan and EBRD Complete Uranium Mine Reclamation, Paving the Way for Ecotourism Development

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A delegation led by Esther Harlander, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Safety Department and Head of the Environmental Remediation Account at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), visited Yangiabad in the Tashkent region to review the results of completed uranium mine reclamation works.

The delegation was accompanied by Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, and Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Agency for Waste Management and Circular Economy Development.

The project, implemented with EBRD support, focused on the reclamation of former uranium mining sites in Yangiabad. Work began in March 2023 and was completed in August 2025, following prior consultations with local residents and relevant organizations.

According to Vadim Korolev, Project Management Group Leader, the reclamation included geodetic surveys, construction of access roads, demolition of obsolete structures, creation of a landfill for contaminated waste, installation of drainage and infiltration systems for mine water, reinforcement of riverbanks, and installation of pipelines for water discharge.

Strict compliance with occupational safety, labor protection, and radiation safety standards was ensured throughout the project, while community feedback was taken into account at every stage.

Minister Aziz Abdukhakimov emphasized that after the successful completion of reclamation works, efforts should now focus on developing the area for ecotourism and creating recreational spaces for local residents. Plans include landscaping, creating pedestrian paths, cleaning and improving adjacent areas, and installing online monitoring cameras to ensure transparency and prevent future environmental violations.

Sharifbek Khasanov, Director of the Waste Management Agency, noted that areas with low radiation levels are now under constant monitoring. Public awareness and youth education programs are also underway, helping return rehabilitated lands safely to nature.

The €9 million environmental remediation project was financed under a grant agreement between Uzbekistan and the EBRD, covering reclamation works at Yangiabad and Charkesar-2 (Namangan region). The full remediation of the Charkesar-2 site — another former uranium extraction area — was completed in August 2024.

The main objective of the program is to eliminate ionizing radiation risks, restore a safe ecological environment, and improve public health — ultimately turning once-contaminated territories into safe, green zones suitable for living, recreation, and sustainable tourism.