The Office for the Cooperation with International Organizations with the support of the Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Public Health has successfully carried out an online Training Course on Environmental Remediation of Uranium Production Sites.
Over 30 participants from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia took part in this Course to build managerial and technical proficiency in the implementation of environmental remediation projects and to establish a forum to exchange best practices and experiences.
Experts from the Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Public Health – Chief radiologist Damir Zaredinov, Professor Saidamin Bakiyev and Associate Professor Marina Li – gave a special attention to the topics including the expertise and technique of making decisions when organizing and carrying out environmental remediation operations of former uranium production sites. In addition, the experts gave an overview to licensing requirements and procedure in the environmental remediation projects and talked about important technical aspects on the basics of radiation ecology, environmental, radiation and industrial safety.
"Measures aimed at environmental remediation of former uranium production sites, particularly in Central Asia, require a coordinated approach. This will guarantee that an action plan is implemented in line with the present international agreement in a timely and efficient manner. Many initiatives, including personnel education and training, are used to aid in environmental remediation" - said Viktor Mazepov, the Director for International Cooperation of the Rosatom Technical Academy.
For reference:
On November 24, 2008, the Eurasian Economic Union adopted the concept of the interstate target programme "Remediation of Member States’ Territories Affected by Uranium Mining Operations". Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan participate in the programme and the Rosatom Atomic State Corporation acts as the customer coordinator.
The main objective of the programme is to reduce the risks of emergencies with radiological consequences in the territories of the Eurasian Economic Union Member States, exposed to uranium mining and industrial production, to develop technologies for environmental remediation, as well as to ensure safe living conditions and social rehabilitation of the population in these regions.
Since 2014, the Rosatom Technical Academy has trained personnel for the development and implementation of programmes for the remediation of uranium mining areas. During this time, more than 15 training courses were conducted and more than 250 specialists were trained, including representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.