Page Updated: 20-Sep-2006
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Melange disposal project to be launched in Azerbaijan

Visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, on 18 November 2005, NATO’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Robert Simmons, announced that NATO would launch a melange disposal project in Azerbaijan in June 2006. Melange is a highly toxic rocket-fuel oxidiser formerly used by Warsaw Pact countries. Melange storage tanks are progressively deteriorating, due to the corrosive properties of this component. The high risk of leaks represents a serious threat to the environment and public health.

The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) launched a call for bids for the development and construction of a mobile melange treatment plant, with a capacity to treat at least five tonnes in 24 hours. Such a plant, to be built with financial support from the NATO Programme for Security through Science, will neutralise melange by producing reusable compounds, such as fertiliser.

Melange leaking to the ground

A US company won the competitive bidding and work has started on the design of the plant. From 24 to 26 October 2005, a NATO team and representatives of this company visited the two Azeri sites of Mingachevir and Alat, where melange is being stored. As the latter has been identified as the site presenting the highest risk to the environment and public health, the plant will initiate treatment of approximately 1000 tonnes of melange there. Negotiations with the Azeri government on Azerbaijan’s financial contribution to the project, which will be implemented under the country’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), are ongoing.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is investigating the possibility of taking part in the rehabilitation of the two sites, once the process of melange disposal is completed. This could involve projects to clean up contaminated oil.

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