Inflow of brine in the northern flank

On 8 July 2009, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection detected an inflow of brine on the 750-m level in a gallery in the area of the northern flank of the mine. The saturated saline solution concentrated in a depression of the bottom of a gallery. The volume of influent brine has decreased from initially 60 liter per hour to currently 30 liter per hour.

The saline solution originates from the old potash field. In the 20ies of the last century, the chambers at the northern flank were backfilled with moist residues from potash processing. However, at that time there was also an inflow of saline solutions from drillings. There is no contact to radioactive waste. This saline solution must not be confused with the saline groundwater flowing in at the southern flank. The inflow is continuously being monitored, the causes are being investigated. The Laender Mining Authority and the Repository Surveillance have been informed.