Adaptive Phased Management Layouts for Crystalline Geosphere

Abstract

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is implementing Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada’s plan for the long-term management of its used nuclear fuel. The APM approach encompasses centralized containment and isolation of the used fuel in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) located in a suitable rock formation to safely contain and isolate used fuel. In January 2020, the NWMO announced that the Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and South Bruce area in southern Ontario will undergo more detailed investigations to determine suitability for hosting the DGR. The Ignace area has a crystalline rock geosphere while the South Bruce area has a sedimentary rock geosphere.

An adaptive underground repository layout was chosen as it provides flexibility to adapt to inferred major geologic structures through strict application of respect distances as governing criteria. NWMO has progressed the adaptive designs and layouts based on the advancement of site selection processes.

This paper presents the results of the advancement of the adaptive layouts design for the crystalline geosphere. This includes alignment of the placement room orientations to avoid anticipated major fracture zones, ventilation design updates inclusive of considerations for electrification of the underground mobile equipment fleet, updated shaft and services area designs, and on the design of the Excavated Rock Management Area.