Der Spiegel: Ukraine's uranium mines on the verge of catastrophe
Radioactive materials could enter groundwater if mines are disconnected from electricity due to debts.
Uranium mining in Ukraine has practically stopped. The conveyor belts of all three mines in the country are idle due to insufficient funding.
This is reported by Der Spiegel, adding that Ukrainian state-owned uranium mines are located in the Kirovohrad region. In each of them, only basic ventilation and water pumping systems from the mining sites are operating. Approximately 5,000 employees are currently on unpaid leave.
The reason for the shutdown of Ukrainian uranium mines is the debts of the state company "Energoatom" amounting to the equivalent of 4 million euros. "Energoatom" is the sole buyer of uranium mined at state-owned mines.
The operation of the three mines has been stopped, and the operator will go bankrupt by spring. Although delays in salary payments and a lack of necessary protective equipment and gear began a long time ago. Trade unions fear that due to unpaid bills, the mines will be disconnected from electricity. This means that water will no longer be pumped out of the mines. Thus, radioactive materials could contaminate groundwater in the region. If this were to happen, it would be an environmental catastrophe.
Der Spiegel reminds that the state company "Energoatom" operates four nuclear power plants in Ukraine. 15 power units produce half of the electricity consumed by the country. The company's fifth power plant was the Chernobyl NPP, affected by the accident in 1986. Its operation was gradually stopped after 2000.