Nagra submits a further application for a borehole in the Nördlich Lägern region
Nagra has submitted a total of 23 applications for deep boreholes: eight each for the siting regions Jura Ost and Zürich Nordost, and seven for the Nördlich Lägern region. Now a further application is being submitted for Nördlich Lägern.
«In the Bülach borehole, which is already complete, we drilled through a fossilised coral reef above the Opalinus Clay – the formation in which the repository will one day be constructed. We will also drill through this reef in the second borehole in Nördlich Lägern in Stadler Hasliboden», explains Tim Vietor, Division Head Safety, Geology & Radioactive Materials at Nagra. With a third borehole, also in Stadel, Nagra will drill to the west of the coral reef. «We are assuming that, with this borehole to the west of the reef edge, we will be able to complete the picture of the underground in the siting region. For the case where we require a further borehole outside the reef, we will submit an application for a borehole in the community of Bachs in the next few days», adds Vietor. Whether or not the borehole will actually be drilled depends on the results from the previous boreholes.
The site selection process for a deep geological repository is led by the Federal Government. Based on previous investigations, it is already clear that the regions Jura Ost, Nördlich Lägern and Zürich Nordost are suitable in principle for constructing a repository. The aim of Nagra’s deep borehole campaign is to determine which of the three regions is best suited. It is not possible at present to make any statements on this.
Nagra will hold an information event for the residents of Bachs on Saturday 17th October at the location where the drill site is planned (Stampfistrasse, next to the former wastewater treatment plant). Nagra representatives will be available at the site between 10:00 and 15:00 for questions and discussions.
More information: Patrick Studer, Head Nagra’s Media Office: 076 579 36 50, medien@nagra.ch
According to Swiss nuclear energy legislation, the producers of radioactive waste are responsible for its safe management and disposal. In 1972, the Federal Government and the nuclear power plant operators set up the National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra) to perform this task. Nagra, which has its headquarters in Wettingen (AG), is the national technical competence centre in the field of deep geological disposal of radioactive waste.
Out of a strong sense of responsibility for the long-term protection of man and the environment, 130 employees are involved daily in performing this important work. The high level of competence is secured by targeted research programmes in two Swiss underground rock laboratories and intensive international collaboration.