The recent flooding in Russia’s Kurgan region has caused significant concerns as Soviet-era uranium mines in the area have been submerged, raising fears of radioactive and chemical pollution seeping into the Tobol River. The Dobrovolnoye uranium deposit, operated by an enterprise owned by state nuclear energy agency Rosatom, is located within the flood zone and its mines have been compromised by the flooding.
Environmentalists and local residents have reported that the flooding likely sent radioactive substances into the river, potentially affecting the hundreds of thousands of people living near the banks of the Tobol downstream. The accumulation of “radioactive sludge” in the mines over the years has been a major concern, with repeated public protests against continued uranium mining in the area being ignored by authorities.
Nuclear physicist and antinuclear campaigner Andrei Ozharovsky highlighted the dangers of uranium contamination in the river, emphasizing the risks of internal radiation exposure from consuming contaminated water. Despite previous dismissals by Rosatom of concerns over potential leaks and contamination, the recent flooding has reignited fears over the environmental and health risks posed by the uranium mines in the region.
As the situation unfolds, authorities and environmentalists will be closely monitoring the levels of contamination in the Tobol River and the potential impact on the surrounding communities. The response from Rosatom to these latest reports will be crucial in addressing the concerns raised by the flooding of the Soviet-era uranium mines in the Kurgan region.
