nuclear-news

Shutdown of 3 uranium mines in midst of dispute could lead to ecological disaster in Ukraine

World Socialist Web 10th Dec 2020, Three uranium mines have been shut down in the Kirovohrad region of central Ukraine over disputed payments between the state nuclear energy company Energoatom and the state-owned enterprise operating the mine, Eastern Mining and Processing. As a result of the alleged nonpayment, approximately 5,000 miners have been placed on unpaid leave. They are still owed approximately $5 million in months of back pay.

The shuttering of the mines could also lead to an ecological catastrophe if the mines lose power and water pumps fail to operate, creating a toxic mixture of radioactive uranium-contaminated groundwater that could spread throughout the vast river systems of central Ukraine.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/12/11/ukr-d11.html

December 12, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, Ukraine