The Algerian Ministry of National Defense announced the start of the second phase of a nuclear cleanup operation on Sunday, 1 November 2026. This project focuses on the remediation of the 'Beryl 2' nuclear test tunnel site. Located in the In Eker region of Tamanrasset province, the site serves as the primary area for the current environmental efforts. State authorities initiated this stage to address the lingering effects of historical testing activities in the area. Official teams are tasked with securing the location to ensure safety standards are maintained within the region. Work at the site represents the latest effort by the government to manage legacy nuclear infrastructure. The cleanup operation specifically targets the 'Beryl 2' nuclear test tunnel site, which remains a focal point for the environmental remediation strategy currently being executed in the In Eker region of Tamanrasset province.
Operational Oversight and Procedures
The Ministry of National Defense manages the operation in direct coordination with the National Agency for the Rehabilitation of Old Sites of French Nuclear Tests and Explosions in the Algerian South. This organizational structure ensures that all remediation activities at In Eker follow a unified administrative framework. Technical teams from both bodies oversee the daily operations to maintain consistent standards throughout the cleanup process. The operation is being conducted under the direct supervision of the Ministry of National Defense in coordination with the National Agency for the Rehabilitation of Old Sites of French Nuclear Tests and Explosions in the Algerian South, ensuring a high level of institutional oversight.
Personnel on-site collect nuclear waste materials discovered within the tunnel infrastructure. Workers place these materials into specialized concrete containers designed to prevent environmental leakage. These containers meet both national and international safety protocols established for the handling of radioactive remnants. The cleanup process involves collecting nuclear waste and storing it in concrete containers according to national and international safety protocols. Engineers and safety officers monitor the storage process to verify that every container is sealed and positioned according to strict containment regulations.
Authorities at the Ministry of National Defense allege that the French side is evading its criminal responsibilities regarding the historical testing program. The Ministry of National Defense claims the French side is evading its criminal responsibilities and refusing to provide records and maps of nuclear waste burial sites. Officials state that the French government continues to refuse requests for the provision of detailed records and maps documenting the exact locations of nuclear waste burial sites. Access to these specific documents remains a point of contention between the two parties, as the lack of information complicates the identification of additional hazardous zones. The Ministry maintains that these documents are necessary to ensure the full remediation of the region. The ongoing refusal to provide these critical maps and records is cited by the Ministry as a significant barrier to the total success of the cleanup initiative.
