Investigation Program for a Suitability Declaration of the Gorleben Salt Dome as a Repository for Radioactive Waste

Abstract

In the Federal Republic of Germany the GORLEBEN salt dome is under investigation for its suitability as a site for the final disposal of all categories of radioactive waste. The objective is the detailed exploration of the geological and hydrogeological conditions prevailing in and around the GORLEBEN salt dome. The paper outlines the geological, hydrogeological and geomechanical investigations performed during the surface exploration. The preparatory steps of the underground program are summarized. The underground exploration will cover an area 10 km x 2 km in the central part of the salt dome at 840 m depth, and will require 25 km of drifting and 120 km of core drilling. The status of the project is described as well as the time schedule leading to a final suitability declaration within a public licensing procedure. The earliest expected date for the repository to become operational is after the year 2000.