Underground Laboratory for Safe Storage of Radioactive Waste Being Built in Russia
In the Krasnoyarsk region, the state corporation "Rosatom" is constructing an underground research laboratory to test the isolation of long-lived high- and intermediate-level radioactive waste.
These wastes are generated during the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and remain hazardous for thousands of years. The methods for their isolation require thorough verification.
The laboratory will be located more than 500 meters deep in the rocks of the Lower-Kan massif. Scientists will investigate whether the rock formations and engineering barriers can reliably contain radionuclides. The scientific coordination of the project is handled by the Institute for Safe Development of Nuclear Energy.
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The project encompasses over 150 scientific directions. Researchers will evaluate the properties of the rock mass and test the effectiveness of protective materials, including various types of clay and containers. The laboratory will help compare theoretical models with real geological data.
The director of the "Siberian" branch of the National Operator for Radioactive Waste Management, Andrey Dakhno, stated that the project is a crucial step in developing safe isolation solutions for high-level waste.
The construction of the underground research laboratory began in 2018 as part of the federal target program for nuclear and radiation safety for 2016-2020 and until 2035.
