specialists of the Central design-technological Institute (CPTI) intend to conduct a comprehensive engineering-radiation survey of the tailings and to develop a detailed restoration plan.
During the operation of the tailings it has accumulated about 14 million tons of waste – a gigantic figure. In fact the uranium waste dumps were formed there from 1951 to 1990. Then on-site stockpiled non-radioactive phosphogypsum resulting from the processing of Apatite. The level of contamination at the facility is enormous, the last time some restoration was done in 2014-2015.
Uranium ore was mined in two mines at the top of the mountain Beshtau and Byk. Both mines in Soviet times was classified. Experts believe that uranium mining in the area Lermontov for years spoiled the ecology of the Caucasian Mineral Waters.
the Tailings storage facility is located on the territory of the former hydrometallurgical plant in 2019 renamed “Diamond”. Now it produces mineral fertilizers and feed additives, but the main products were water-soluble fertilizers. According to experts, this market is one of the fastest growing, its annual growth exceeds 10 percent. About 80 percent of the products “Diamond” is exported.
specialists of the Central design-technological Institute intend to assess the condition of the site tailings dams and hydraulic structures – dams and watercourses. Having accurate information about the amount of waste, you can prepare a list of recommendations for remediation. The contractor Rosatom, the contract amount to nearly 22.5 million rubles.
– tisc won the tender announced by the state in the framework of the Federal target program, which purpose – improvement of ecological situation in the country. Tisc also develops a new activity, namely the provision of radiation safety. We are ready to do a radiation survey of such a large and specific objects, – noted the General Director of tisc Mikhail Tarasov.
the Environmental situation in Lermontov care of many stavropoltsev, as well as local environmentalists and specialists in the field of balneology. Close to Lermontov are known city-resorts Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk, Zheleznovodsk and Essentuki. The region is trying to increase its recreational potential, and the storage of radioactive waste that does not fit.
Even the idea of establishing a plant for the production of nitrocellulose last year provoked the IRE of local residents. The new company planned to place in the industrial area of the city on the area of 22 hectares. In the end, the company management was forced to yield to Lermontova and to abandon the project worthd 6.3 billion rubles. .
Vladimir Suprunenko, hydrogeologist, who took part in large-scale studies of mineral base of resorts KMV:
– Tailings should be fully rehabilitated. And the area must be constantly wet, so a strong wind raises the dust which it is difficult. When they started to mine uranium ore, about ecology not thought absolutely. Similar deposits in the USSR was in Kazakhstan. Fortunately, in the Caucasian mineral waters in time production shut down, although the damage is irreparable. Uranium there are many more, but the technical possibilities do not allow it to get.
Multispectral aerial photography showed that the area of the tailings dam contaminated the first horizon of ground waters. The direction of their flow in the direction of the village Novoblagodarnoe in the Foothills, just North of Lermontov. I worked in conjunction with disease surveillance. Now, because of the flow, heavy metal pollution, the inhabitants of the surrounding settlements most suffered from cancer.
uranium Enrichment are not engaged for a long time, but now produce a superphosphate fertilizer. It is also not a company that should be at the resort. Production area should be planted with plants and forget about these plants here once and for all.
