BfS starts exploration works for a new Asse shaft
To be able to recover the radioactive waste from the Asse repository safely, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) plans the construction of a new shaft. Planning works for the new shaft run parallel to the preparations of the trial phase (fact finding) for retrieving the radioactive waste. Based on the available geological knowledge the BfS has determined a possible site for the new shaft, which, however, is located in an FFH (Flora Fauna Habitat). To examine whether this site is suitable, this area needs initially to be explored with the help of test drillings. The site is not far from the premises. Prior to starting the exploration drillings, the BfS needs to get the required licences from the federal state of Lower Saxony.
Currently the mine has only one adequate shaft, namely the main shaft 2. Apart from this there is also the narrow emergency shaft 4. In case the radioactive waste is retrieved, the waste, the staff and the breathing air for the miners need currently to be transported via the same shaft. That is of considerable disadvantage in terms of radiation protection. Therefore the BfS examines whether there is a suitable site for a new shaft. Because of the saddle-shaped salt structure of the Asse special care needs to be taken when deciding where the new shaft can be drilled, as two facilities of the three formerly existing mines have already drowned. Considerable problems with influent water also occurred when today’s main shaft 2 was constructed.
The new shaft would be connected to the mine openings later on, so that it will be possible to load the recovered waste immediately and take it out of the mine. The site of the new shaft was selected in such a way that it can be drilled nearly exclusively in stable rock salt. Besides the site is at a safe distance to the existing mine openings. Above ground there would additionally be sufficient room for a haulage plant including shaft hall.
To be able to store the waste safely after it has been recovered, an interim storage facility needs to be erected. This has been known for a long time. A first concept study has dealt with the basic technical feasibility. To advance the decision-making process a second study is currently being prepared.
The federal government transferred the operatorship of the Asse II mine to the BfS in 2009. At the same time it was set out in the Atomic Energy Act to decommission the facility immediately. According to present knowledge the Asse II mine can only be decommissioned safely after the waste has been recovered from the mine. The BfS plans to recover the waste as soon as possible, with the lowest possible radiological exposure to staff and population.