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Kyrgyzstan

By Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

Mining and processing of uranium and other heavy metals have been carried out in the Kyrgyz Republic since the mid-1940s, particularly in the mountainous and seismically active areas above the Syr Darya River. Many of these activities ceased in the 1990s following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, leaving a legacy of abandoned uranium mining and milling sites and tailings.

There are 92 tailings containing uranium and toxic materials in Kyrgyzstan, 60 of which fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Five toxic tailings in more remote regions of the southern provinces are currently abandoned. The sites, defined as uranium legacy sites (ULS), pose serious risks to the environment and public health, including radiological and toxicological risks for communities located near the contaminated material.

Stories of Change

Kyrgyzstan: Promoting Environmental Protection through Community Participation

Key Results

The EGP conducted a socio-economic assessment and community survey among residents of areas impacted by toxic tailings and ULS, which helped identify key gaps in the understanding of risks and the existence of health and environmental impacts. 68.3 percent of survey respondents affirmed an increase in diseases and health problems.
The EGP supported the establishment of a community volunteer team in the district of Kadamjai in Batken Province, focused on monitoring the environmental situation in the Kan village and implementing environment-related actions to protect the area surrounding the local school and kindergarten.

Progress and Achievements

Since September 2021, the EGP has supported community members and authorities in the Kan village, in the Kadamjai district of Batken Province (650 km from Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan), in addressing environmental challenges posed by mining. The village was selected in coordination with national and local authorities, taking into consideration the limited support being provided to this remote mountainous region.

Kan hosts two tailings of toxic heavy metals and industrial waste, which are the result of a Soviet-era lead and zinc mining and processing plant. Covering a total area of 11 hectares, the tailings are located near village houses, schools, and nursery homes. The tailing area does not have any special signs to restrict access and is prone to frequent mudslides and the force of wind. According to Kyrgyzstan’s State Waste Inventory, the Kan toxic wastes belong to Hazard Class Level 4, the highest level in the country.

The EGP’s work in the Kan village empowered community members and local authorities to understand and start addressing major environmental challenges faced by the community and neighbouring districts, including the following activities:

socio-economic assessment and community survey among villagers

Conducting a socio-economic assessment and community survey among villagers, which highlighted key gaps in understanding of risks and the existence of health and environmental impacts resulting from the ULSs:

68.3 percent affirmed an increase in diseases and health problems.
70 percent were affected by shortages of irrigation and drinking water.
33.3 percent noted floods and mudflows from the tailings.
77 percent were not aware of the disaster risk reduction measures being implemented in their settlements. They had difficulties determining measures needed to prevent disasters.

risk assessment and monitoring of tailing sites

Supporting a comprehensive risk assessment and monitoring of the two tailing sites, which are not properly protected. Lead and other toxic heavy metals, in particular cadmium and arsenic, have been dissipated by atmospheric precipitation and dust due to the proximity of the tailings, erosion, and the lack of protective and drainage structures. Samples of water, tested by a certified laboratory, demonstrated an excess of lead in the water, which harmfully affects people’s health. Concentrations of heavy metals were high, exceeding Kyrgyz standards.

Through applying the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) methodology, the assessment identified the following threats:

Chemical contamination of the atmosphere, water, soil and vegetation with toxic tailing materials as a result of dispersion, blowing and heavy metal dust being carried over outside of tailings.
Structural destruction of tailings and their dams as a result of natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, mudslides) and rising groundwater levels.
Long-term erosion of the dam’s surface due to extreme precipitation, human activityand cattle grazing.

capacity development of local decision makers

Facilitating capacity development of local decision makers and community members by bringing together the chairmen of village committees, residents, schoolteachers and representatives from the Batken Department for Ecology and Climate around the followingissues:

The current technical condition and risk assessment of the tailings, including structural vulnerability and lack of protective fencing.
Explaining risks posed by the proximity of the tailings, and the waste’s impacts on air and water contamination, including the negative effects of using water for irrigation and sand as a construction material.
Explaining how natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, and mudslides) can exacerbate the environmental and health risks posed by the tailings.

Other capacity development activities included:

Preparation of training materials and posters about radiation and chemical safety for teachers and staff of the local kindergarten, vocational school and secondary school, including behaviour rules for those living in potentially hazardous areas of radiation and chemical contamination and steps to improve the protection of the children.
Establishment of a community volunteer team consisting of 10 schoolchildren of the 8th grade, with a focus on monitoring the environmental situation in the Kan village and implementing environment-related actions to protect the area of the school.

procurement and installation of water filters

Supporting the procurement and installation of 25 water filters in the village school, kindergarten, vocational school and orphanage.
In addition to these activities, the EGP continues to support projects in the Sumsar village aiming to increase access to water. This includes replacing old water pipes to mitigate risks posed by water pollution. Additionally, a new septic tank will be installed in the local hospital to improve sanitary conditions in the local health service.

personal protective equipment items

Distributing more than 2,000 personal protective equipment items and gear for disaster risk reduction to farmers and residents near the tailing sites, including gloves, masks, and dust respirators.

EGP Partners

The EGP is implemented by UNDP Kyrgyzstan in collaboration with national and local authorities, including the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Agency for Tailings Management, the State Agency for Environmental Protection and Forestry, the State Agency for Technical Inspection, and the State Committee on Mining. In 2021, the EGP also worked with the Kan village and Batken Province government departments and authorities, including the Batken Department for Ecology and Climate.

The EGP Focal Point in UNDP Kyrgyzstan is Jooweon Hwang (jooweon.hwang@undp.org).

Further results

EGP 2020 Annual Report

Footnotes

[1] Popovski, Vasko, Suerkulov, Enver. Inventorization of Radiological and Toxic Sites Report. UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic. 2019. Cover photo: © UNDP Kyrgyzstan

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FootNotes

[1] Popovski, Vasko, Suerkulov, Enver. Inventorization of Radiological and Toxic Sites Report. UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic. 2019. Cover photo: © UNDP Kyrgyzstan

EGP Newsletter

Kyrgyzstan

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A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

February 11th, 2026

February 10th, 2026

A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

October 27th, 2025

Learn about all countries that have been a part of EGP

February 11^th, 2026

February 10^th, 2026

October 27^th, 2025