Kazakhstan has designated a national operator for radioactive waste management. This was reported by the Atomic Energy Agency of Kazakhstan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to the agency's order signed on 30 October 2026, the national operator is the Republican State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management "National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan".
"Radioactive waste in Kazakhstan has accumulated as a result of past activities, including nuclear testing, uranium mining and processing," the agency noted.
Currently, radioactive waste is generated during the operation of nuclear facilities, the activities of uranium mining and processing enterprises, as well as in industry, medicine and science. In the future, it will also be generated during the operation of nuclear power plants.
"The national operator performs work related to the safe management of radioactive waste. One of the main areas of its activity will be the creation and operation of infrastructure for radioactive waste disposal, as well as work on the closure of relevant facilities and post-operational monitoring," the statement said.
In addition, the National Nuclear Operator will carry out work on the decommissioning and conservation of nuclear legacy facilities owned by the state or subject to transfer to state ownership. Its tasks also include work to eliminate the consequences of uranium mining and processing as provided for by law.
"Given the development of nuclear energy, it is important for Kazakhstan to ensure the safe management of radioactive waste, including waste accumulated over past decades, and to create the necessary infrastructure for its disposal," the agency believes.
This will allow for reliable long-term isolation of waste, reduce radiation risks to the public and the environment, and avoid leaving the problem of accumulated waste to future generations.