In brief: Cross-flooding solution for the Asse mine
Absolute priority will be the long-term safe closure of the Asse mine. As things stand, this can only be achieved by retrieving the wastes. At the same time there is the risk of an uncontrollable inflow of water into the Asse mine. That is general knowledge.
Parallel to preparing retrieval, corresponding emergency measures are being prepared. Many serve to reduce the probability of occurrence of an emergency, others are to limit the consequences of an emergency. This always gives rise to speculations. To contribute to the debate’s objectification, the BfS informs about issues that are currently debated.
Is it true that the BfS intends to store 400,000 cubic metres of cross-flooding solution at the Asse mine?
No, that was and is not planned. The BfS intends to establish a collection point at the Asse mine which is to take up about 400 cubic metres of solution. The aforementioned cross-flooding solution is one of many different emergency measures, in case emergency measures need to be taken at the Asse mine. However, it is not intended to keep the solution on the Asse mine premises. The solution will be taken to the Asse mine when it is actually needed.
When did the BfS provide information about the stockpiling of the cross-flooding solution?
The last information was provided by the BfS
- At a public briefing
- By letter of August 2014 to the Asse-2 Monitoring Group, and
- On 5 September 2014 at a meeting of the Asse-2 Monitoring Group.
However, the plans have been known for several years and have been communicated several times. There is also comprehensive information about this issue at asse.bund.de.