Objective of sinking the recovery shaft

So far, the Asse mine has had one main shaft (shaft 2) via which the fresh air, the exhaust air, persons, all materials and vehicles and equipment need to be transported. Furthermore, there is a small rescue shaft (shaft 4) with the help of which maximum three individuals can be simultaneously transported out of the mine in the event of an emergency.

In view of the planned retrieval of the radioactive waste the conditions inside the mine need to be improved. Among others, the following is required:

• The safe transport of the waste,
• Increasing the number of staff underground, and
• The guarantee of proper ventilation.

That requires the construction of a new, sufficiently dimensioned day shaft. Once the new shaft is built and connected to the existing mine, the shafts can take over the following functions:

• It is planned to continue to use the existing main shaft of the Asse mine (shaft 2) and the rescue shaft (shaft 4) to transport persons. Once the new shaft is connected to the mine, only fresh air will be delivered into the mine via shaft 2.
• According to current plans, the waste to be retrieved from Asse is to be transported over the new shaft 5.
• The new shaft can also be used for the transport of personnel if no waste is transported.

Besides, also the situation in the event of an emergency will improve considerably, as this shaft will be available in case shaft 2 will not be available for man haulage.