| Krasnokamensk (English) Краснокаменск (Russian) |
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| - Town - | |
Location of Zabaykalsky Krai in Russia |
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Krasnokamensk
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| Administrative status | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Zabaykalsky Krai |
| Administrative center of | Krasnokamensky District |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 73 km2 (28 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 Census, preliminary) |
55,668 inhabitants[1] |
| - Rank in 2010 | 297th |
| Population (2002 Census) | 55,920 inhabitants[2] |
| - Rank in 2002 | 294th |
| Density | 763 /km2 (1,980 /sq mi)[3] |
| Time zone | YAKST (UTC+10:00)[4] |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Postal code(s) | 674670–674684 |
| Dialing code(s) | +7 30245 |
Krasnokamensk (Russian: Краснока́менск) is a town and the administrative center of Krasnokamensky District of Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia, located 535 kilometers (332 mi) southeast of Chita, near the Chinese border. It is best known as the site for Russia's largest uranium mine. Population: 55,668 (2010 Census preliminary results);[1] 55,920 (2002 Census);[2] 66,872 (1989 Census).[5]
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Krasnokamensk was founded in 1968, in conjunction with the commencement of mining of the Streltsovskoye uranium deposits, which had been discovered near the present site of the city in 1963. The settlement grew quickly, and was granted town status in 1969.
The name translates roughly as town on red stone, with the reference to the colour red reflecting both the actual rock formations in the area, as well as its political symbolism in the Soviet era.
From October 2005 until December 2006, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, formerly the 16th-richest man in the world, was jailed in Krasnokamensk on his conviction for tax evasion and fraud.[6]
It is best known for its uranium mine, the largest in Russia. The mine produces around 90% of Russia's total output, and almost 10% of world production. In addition to uranium, molybdenum, manganese and brown coal are also mined close to the town, with associated chemical plants producing sulphuric acid and lubricants.
A branch railway has connected the town to Russia's rail network since 1972. It is served by the Krasnokamensk Airport.
According to the Blacksmith Institute, Krasnokamensk has generated fifty to seventy-five million tons of tailings, making it the largest waste stream at a uranium production site in the world. A Baley community survey documents hundreds of homes with radiation levels as much as 10-20 times the permissible levels. About 500-1000 homes or more suffer from radiation exposures far above international standards.[7]
In recent years, the dangerously high levels of radioactivity have seen a number of the town's districts near the tailing dumps, such as the settlement Oktyabrsky, evacuated and resettled closer to the town center.
Location of prison housing Mikhail Khodorkovsky since 2003.
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