Kadykchan (; ) is a depopulated urban locality (a work settlement) in Susumansky District of Magadan Oblast, Russia. It is located in the Upper Kolyma Highlands, in the basin of the Ayan-Yuryakh River, northwest of Susuman, the administrative center of the district. As of the 2010 Census, it had no recorded population.
Etymology The settlement's name comes from the indigenous Even language word meaning "small gorge" or "ravine".
History Kadykchan was built by gulag prisoners during World War II for the purposes of coal extraction. Later it accommodated miners at two local coal mines which supplied Arkagalinskaya electric power station. The depth of mines was about .
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, coal mining in the area became increasingly unprofitable. One mine closed in 1992, and an explosion at the other in 1996 which killed six people led to a decision to close it also and for the government to subsidize residents to move elsewhere. Major buildings were blown up. As of 2010, the settlement was officially completely depopulated.
Population history 1970 1979 1986 1989 2002 2007 20102023 3,378 4,764 10,270 5,794 875 227 00
External links Unofficial website of Kadykchan Pictures of Kadykchan The Town that Disappeared (BBC News)
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