Editing Lake Baikal (section)

====Proposed uranium enrichment center====
In 2006, the Russian government announced plans to build the world's first international uranium enrichment center at an existing nuclear facility in [[Angarsk]], a city on the [[Angara River|river Angara]] some {{convert|95|km|abbr=on}} downstream from the lake's shores. Critics and environmentalists argued it would be a disaster for the region and are urging the government to reconsider.<ref name=critic>{{cite web |url=http://www.newint.org/columns/currents/2008/05/01/environment/ |title=Saving the Sacred Sea: Russian nuclear plant threatens ancient lake |publisher=Newint.org |access-date=2 January 2012 |date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224211745/https://newint.org/columns/currents/2008/05/01/environment/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After enrichment, only 10% of the uranium-derived radioactive material would be exported to international customers,<ref name=critic/> leaving 90% near the Lake Baikal region for storage. [[radioactive waste|Uranium tailings]] contain radioactive and toxic materials, which if improperly stored, are potentially dangerous to humans and can contaminate rivers and lakes.<ref name=critic/>

An enrichment center was constructed in the 2010s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.iuec.ru/|title=The International Uranium Enrichment Center {{!}} JSC IUEC|website=eng.iuec.ru|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>