Abstract

The Almalyk mining and smelting complex in the Angren-Almalyk mining area produces refined copper, gold, silver, lead, metallic zinc, and other products. The mining capacity is about 25 million tons of ore per year and emissions of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As over the last few decades have caused severe damage to the natural ecosystems of the area, and increased dramatically the heavy metal contents in the affected soils, water, and vegetation. High concentrations of heavy metals have been recorded in vegetation causing great concern for its implication in health risks. Such discouraging realities of the polluted sites have been long studied and tens or hundreds of technical reports, scientific publications, or congress presentations have warned on the short or long-term effects on human health. Fortunately, (or not) the time response to heavy metals ingestion is large and manifestation may appear after 20-30 years unless ingestion is exaggerated. Studies aimed at understanding the real pathways of heavy metals transfer through different natural compartments until foodstuffs are however scanty. Anomalous concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables, milk, and meat have been recorded in some publications but these studies lack comparisons with other case studies. The results of the study demonstrate that it is possible to reduce health risks and environmental damages by heavy metals from mining activity by using simple and economic materials which most of the time are sent to disposal. Results will contribute to improving environmental security: Areas affected by heavy metals pollution will be remediated, reducing health risks and positively contributing to life quality. Research carried out and the application of remediation technologies will also contribute to minimizing regional and even transnational conflicts in case of pollution cross over country limits. New mineral components were applied in soil and water for heavy metal immobilization and precipitate in stable mineral phases. Obtained data have demonstrated a high capacity to precipitate Pb, Cd, and Zn into Smithsonite (ZnCO, Cerussite (PbCO ), Otavite (CCO ), and other mineral phases like Anglesite, Emimorphite, and Hydrozincite which also may imply the participation of plants uptake and biomineralization dynamics.