Kazakhstan has accumulated approximately 200 million tons of radioactive waste.

Kazakhstan's soil is suffering from multiple contaminations from radioactive waste, heavy metals, oil, and petroleum products. According to the 2024 National Report on the Use of Environment and Natural Resources, the country's total radioactive waste has reached approximately 200 million tons, while the total amount of industrial waste is a staggering 315 billion tons.

Behind these figures lies the historical legacy of Kazakhstan as a major region for nuclear testing and uranium mining during the Soviet era, and the environmental challenges it faces as the world's largest uranium producer.

01 Historical Roots: The Legacy of Soviet Nuclear Testing

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union established several nuclear test sites in Kazakhstan, with the Semipalatinsk test site (now Semyi) being the most important. From 1949 to 1989, more than 450 nuclear tests were conducted there.

On August 29, 1949, the Soviet Union successfully detonated its first atomic bomb there. In the 40 years that followed, at least 670 nuclear explosions were conducted in the region. The radioactive fallout from the tests spread over an area of ​​nearly 20,000 square kilometers, affecting an estimated 1.5 million Kazakhs.

The long-term hazards of these nuclear tests far exceed those of a single nuclear accident. Unlike the one-off atomic bombing of Hiroshima or the single accident at Chernobyl, residents around Semipalatinsk have suffered from the nuclear fallout for forty years.

Scientific research shows a significantly higher incidence of cancer, congenital disabilities, and other health problems among those affected by radiation. Radiation doses in some areas surrounding the test site reached 192 times the normal level.

02 Current Status of Contamination: The Cumulative Effect of Multiple Sources

Kazakhstan's radioactive contamination problem stems not only from historical nuclear tests but also from its massive uranium mining industry. The country has six major uranium-producing provinces and numerous small deposits with naturally high levels of radiation.

Uranium mining activities have left a legacy of contamination in three main regions: the northern region (12 deposits), the southern/central region (4 deposits), and the western region (2 deposits). Residents in these areas face a continuous risk of radiation exposure.

Recent measurements of settlements in uranium mining areas of northern Kazakhstan have shown indoor radon concentrations reaching as high as 2470-4974 Bq/m³ in some areas, with environmental gamma radiation dose rates reaching as high as 0.56 µSv/h, significantly exceeding safety standards.

Military facilities also exacerbate the environmental burden. The impact zones of rocket booster debris have contaminated approximately 9.5 million hectares of land, with recorded levels of radionuclides, heavy metals, and toxic compounds exceeding safe limits.

03 Global Perspective: Common Challenges for Uranium-Mining Countries

Kazakhstan's situation is not isolated. Many uranium-mining countries worldwide face similar challenges of radioactive contamination.

In the Czech Republic and Romania, legacy uranium mines have led to increased indoor radon concentrations and long-term groundwater contamination; historical uranium mining by the Navajo Nation in the United States has caused widespread soil and water pollution, increasing cancer rates; and uranium mining areas in Namibia and South Africa have also experienced radioactive material migration due to poor waste management.

Kazakhstan's uniqueness lies in the diversity of its pollution sources: a combination of historical nuclear tests, uranium mining, military activities, and industrial pollution. The country is not only the world's largest uranium producer (accounting for 43% of global production in 2022), but also inherited the heavy legacy of Soviet nuclear testing.

Compared to other countries, Kazakhstan's contamination is more extensive and more difficult to manage. Large areas of the country are contaminated with excessive levels of radionuclides, toxic substances, and heavy metals, affecting a vast area of ​​land.

04 Remediation Strategies: From Abandoned Sites to a Nuclear Future

Faced with severe environmental challenges, Kazakhstan is exploring a series of remediation measures. The government is considering the former Semipalatinsk nuclear test site as an alternative location for radioactive waste storage, arguing that "it is already a contaminated area."

According to Gumar Sergazin, Deputy Chairman of the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency, the Semipalatinsk test site covers a total area of ​​18,000 square kilometers, of which approximately 8,300 square kilometers are high-radiation zones, suitable for centralized disposal.

The country plans to build a deep geological repository for radioactive waste, with the burial depth determined by the groundwater level; international standards typically require high-level waste to be buried at a depth of 400 meters.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is actively advancing its nuclear energy program. A referendum in October 2024 showed that 71.12% of the public supported building nuclear power plants. As the world's largest uranium producer, Kazakhstan plans to build at least three nuclear power plants, viewing nuclear energy as key to achieving its energy transition.

05 Future Challenges: Balancing Sustainable Development and Environmental Remediation

Kazakhstan's radioactive waste management faces multiple challenges in terms of technology, funding, and ecological balance. The safe disposal of liquid radioactive waste requires an investment of approximately $40 million, while the entire remediation project requires substantial international funding.

The country is negotiating with international institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, seeking international grant funding. At the same time, industrial pollution is also a significant concern: the total amount of industrial waste nationwide reaches 315 billion tons, with approximately 10 billion tons added annually.

Near major cities and industrial centers, concentrations of lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium significantly exceed safety standards. Oil pollution in the western region has affected nearly 200,000 hectares of land, with the total amount of spilled oil exceeding 5 million tons.

Kazakhstan plans to achieve complete carbon neutrality by 2060, a goal that stands in stark contrast to current environmental challenges. Nuclear energy is considered key to achieving this goal, but the long-term management of radioactive waste remains an unresolved issue.

As climate change intensifies, the declining water level of Lake Balkhash may affect the cooling needs of nuclear power plants. The ability of the waste disposal site at the Semey test site to safely isolate radiation will also be tested by extreme weather.

The effectiveness of Kazakhstan's environmental governance will directly impact the radioactive safety landscape in Central Asia and even globally. This country, inheriting a heavy historical legacy, is racing against time and technology to find answers to sustainable development.