Ak-Tuz
Ak-Tuz is a former mono-industrial village located in the Kemin district of the Chui oblast, Kyrgyzstan. It was established in 1938 following the discovery of polymetallic and rare-earth metal deposits in the area. That same year, the Ak-Tuz lead-zinc-tin plant, a component of the Kyrgyz Mining and Metallurgical Plant, was constructed to process these resources. The plant played a critical role during World War II, producing lead, zinc, tin, and other metals for wartime needs.
The village, designated as a poselok gorodskogo tipa (urban-type settlement), experienced significant growth during the Soviet era. By 1970, its population reached 3,250. However, with the decline of the Soviet Union and the associated economic restructuring, mining activities in Ak-Tuz ceased, leading to a substantial population decrease. As of 2021, the village’s population had fallen to 827, which includes residents working locally and labor migrants in Russia, according to the mayor's report.
A critical challenge faced by Ak-Tuz today is the environmental legacy of its mining past. Between 1942 and 1978, four tailings were constructed near the village to store waste from the mining operations. These tailings collectively contain approximately 2.3 million cubic meters of radioactive material. Their proximity to residential areas poses ongoing health risks and environmental concerns.
A critical challenge faced by Ak-Tuz today is the environmental legacy of its mining past. Between 1942 and 1978, four tailings were constructed near the village to store waste from the mining operations. These tailings collectively contain approximately 2.3 million cubic meters of radioactive material. Their proximity to residential areas poses ongoing health risks and environmental concerns.