OREANDA-NEWS. The branch in Bishkek became the third separate structural unit of the Engineering Center. Previously JSC VNIPIpromtekhnologii opened its offices in Chita and Krasnokamensk of Zabaikalsky Krai. "Each branch is created to achieve specific goals. The staff of Krasnokamensk office is primarily engaged in mining and geological modeling and design for the largest uranium mining enterprise of Russia – PJSC Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union. The Chita branch serves mining enterprises of the Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, carrying out research and design projects for external customers. The third branch has been created to work within the framework of the Interstate Program of Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) "Reclamation of Territories Affected by Uranium Production in EAEC Member States," - said General Director of VNIPIpromtekhnologii Alexey Starodumov.

Program coordinator and initiator is Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation. Therefore, VNIPIpromtekhnologii has been selected to carry out scientific, research, design and survey works, as it has the most extensive experience in the design of mining enterprises, reclamation of their territory and construction of waste disposal facilities. In addition, currently there are no such design and engineering companies in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia.

Over 100 tailings storage facilities of exhausted uranium deposits remain in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. In the first phase of the Interstate program, the available project documentation will be adapted in accordance with the legislation of EAEC member states to pass project expert examinations. According to the head of the branch of VNIPIpromtekhnologii in Bishkek Aman Sarnagoev, all efforts will be focused on the primary objective - bringing the tailings in an environmentally sound condition and rehabilitation of the territory.

The first to be rehabilitated are the tailings in Kaji-Sai and Min-Kush settlements (Kyrgyz Republic) and on the site near Taboshar city (Tajikistan). "These facilities were selected as primary targets due to the fact that the tailings threaten to pollute the basins and beds of the Naryn River, flowing into Syr-Darya, as well as irrigation networks. Now research, design and survey works are being carried out at these facilities. Naturally, at this stage we also create the necessary living conditions for our staff, "- added Aman Sarnagoev.

The management of the Engineering Center of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. is positive that the work of the whole team in the framework of the Interstate program will help solving the environmental problems of EAEC member states.