Refurbishment works on the Konrad 1 headframe

The Konrad mine is currently being converted into the first repository for low-level and intermediate-level radioactive waste under nuclear law. It has two shafts. Later on, it is planned to transport radioactive waste into the repository via shaft Konrad 2. Shaft Konrad 1 will not be used for emplacement operations later on but for the transport of material and staff for conventional mining. The listed headframe which is part of the shaft Konrad 1 will shortly be refurbished.

Hoisting plant shaft Konrad 1

As a result of a routine inspection of the frame where corrosion was detected at single struts and riveted joints, these will be enhanced. For this purpose reinforcement elements will be installed and rivets will be replaced by screws. It is also planned to carry out some repair work during this period that has been due for some time already.

A safe utilisation of the hoisting plant continues to be possible under normal operational conditions. However, as strong wind may cause additional impact to the frame, mining operations will discontinue in extreme weather until repair works have concluded. This will be done as a precaution to protect the staff. In these cases the hoisting plant would be taken out of operation and a safety area around the hoisting frame would be established that would be closed off for persons. Persons underground would leave the mine immediately via shaft Konrad 2.

The listed steel hoisting plant is regularly inspected for safety reasons. Already in the past parts of the frame were refurbished. Complete refurbishment will be carried out in the process of the current conversion of the Konrad mine into a repository for radioactive waste with negligible heat generation. After the repository will have been taken into operation, the completely refurbished hoisting plant on the shaft Konrad 1 – which will then be equipped with two modern hoisting plants – will serve to transport staff and material for conventional mining operations and as an emergency exit. Radioactive waste will solely be emplaced via shaft Konrad 2.