Asse mine – effects on man and environment
BfS conceptual sketch is to enable reliable comparison of the Asse mine’s effects on man and environment in the case of the wastes being retrieved from or remaining inside the mine
The prime aim in the decommissioning of Asse is the long-term safety of man and environment. The BfS as the operator of Asse needs to furnish proof that the selected decommissioning option does not put man and environment in the area at risk, not even in the long term. Also according to the present state of knowledge, this can only be achieved by retrieving the wastes from the Asse mine.
The BfS is committed to compare the effects of retrieval on man and environment with the effects of conceivable alternatives.
BfS work focusses on retrieval
Attempts made by other institutions to prove the long-term safety of Asse with the waste remaining in the mine, have not been successful. In 2010, following a comparison of different options, the BfS declared itself in favour of retrieving the wastes, because that is the only variant that can prove the long-term safety. The BMU has followed this recommendation.
The BfS work therefore focusses on retrieval.
Compare the effects of retrieval with conceivable alternatives
At the same time the BfS is committed to investigate the effects of different conceivable scenarios on man and environment. Since the retrieval of the wastes is associated with radiation exposure to the staff working inside the Asse mine and to the environment, the BfS must justify the necessity of this measure pursuant § 4 of the Radiation Protection Ordinance.
For this purpose, it must compare this option with the effects of conceivable alternatives - in concrete terms: in the case of the Asse mine that the wastes remain inside the mine.
Conceptual sketch is to present necessary evaluation steps
On 19 September 2012, the BfS initiated the development of a conceptual sketch presenting the necessary steps for the evaluation. The necessary works for the conceptual sketch must not delay the performance of the emergency measures, the trial phase (fact-finding) and the preparations for retrieval.
The BfS is currently preparing a workshop to take place on 20/21 November 2012 on this topic and further radiation protection aspects relating to retrieval. On this occasion, it is also planned to present and discuss the conceptual sketch.
Reliable evaluation as precautionary measure for emergency preparedness
Additionally, a reliable evaluation of the effects in case the wastes remain inside the Asse mine is required as precautionary measure.
In the event of an uncontrollable inflow of water into the Asse mine, which cannot be ruled out, this would help the local emergency preparedness team to estimate the consequences for man and environment and to derive necessary consequences from this.