Waste disposal in underground mines -- A technology partnership to protect the environment

Technical Report · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/238504· OSTI ID:238504

Environmentally compatible disposal sites must be found despite all efforts to avoid and reduce the generation of dangerous waste. Deep geologic disposal provides the logical solution as ever more categories of waste are barred from long-term disposal in near-surface sites through regulation and litigation. Past mining in the US has left in its wake large volumes of suitable underground space. EPA studies and foreign practice have demonstrated deep geologic disposal in mines to be rational and viable. In the US, where much of the mined underground space is located on public lands, disposal in mines would also serve the goal of multiple use. It is only logical to return the residues of materials mined from the underground to their origin. Therefore, disposal of dangerous wastes in mined underground openings constitutes a perfect match between mining and the protection and enhancement of the environment.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Carlsbad, NM (United States). Waste Isolation Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-86AL31950
• OSTI ID: 238504
• Report Number(s): DOE/WIPP--95-2060; ON: DE96010278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ABANDONED SHAFTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
TOXIC MATERIALS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND MINING