Insights into the Asse Mine focus on "knowledge and truth"
Knowledge and truth: Are these not very similar terms? Isn’t one based on the other? These – also philosophical – questions lead directly to the Asse mine. There you can clearly see that there is more than one truth because truth always depends on the eye of the beholder. But the knowledge of the verifiable facts is on the table. This issue of "Insights into the Asse Mine" sheds light on some of the most popular claims regarding the Asse mine.
There are many truths, in particular about the Asse mine. That the mine "threatens to collapse", for example, is such a truth. This condition description has practically become automatic, an established attribute such as the "Leaning" Tower of Pisa.
Gap between knowledge and truth
The knowledge gained from the site monitoring, however, shows a different picture. There are measurements, figures and value that can be verified and published. After years of stabilisation measures, the mine cannot collapse entirely, experts say. The issue is not the collapse of the facility but influent brines. In the event of an uncontrollable inflow of brine, the mine could drown and radioactive materials could reach the biosphere. The recovery of the wastes provides the best possible protection and is thus pursued as decommissioning variant.
The Asse mine is a prime example of the huge gap between what is and what one believes to know. In this issue of "Insights into the Asse Mine” the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) has taken nine examples and critically questioned them.
- "The Asse mine threatens to collapse"
- "Nobody knows what has been emplaced in the Asse mine"
- "There are more cancer cases in the vicinity of the Asse mine"
- "The fact-finding delays retrieval"
- "At the Asse mine it is not possible to sink a new shaft"
- "Emergency preparedness prevents retrieval"
- "Since nobody wants to have the Asse waste, it remains inside the mine"
- "Drowning of the Asse mine would affect the entire north of Germany"
- "The Asse mine proves: Disposal in salt is not possible"
Consequences for political decision makers and authorities
Many of these claims reflect the fears of people of the region. The political decision makes must respond to this, Hans-Peter Bull, expert for national law, recommends in the interview in this issue. That does not mean that politicians and administrators should reinforce unjustified fears or even make them the basis of their decisions. "Who humours people, does not have a lot of respect for them," says Bull.
