Underground mining and deep geologic disposal - Two compatible and complementary activities

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:279642

Rempe, N T

Active and mature underground mining districts offer conditions favorable to deep geologic disposal because their geology is known in more detail, the feasibility of underground excavations has already been demonstrated, mining leaves distinctive footprints and records that alert subsequent generations to the anthropogenic alterations of the underground environment, and subsequent exploration and production proceeds with great care and accuracy to locate and generally to avoid old mine workings. Compatibility of mining with deep geologic waste disposal has been proven by decades of experience with safe storage and disposal in former mines and in the mined-out areas of still active mining operations. Mineral extraction around an intended repository reduces the incentive for future disturbance. Incidental features of mineral exploration and extraction such as lost circulation zones, allochthonous backfill, and permanent surface markers can deter future intrusion into a repository. Thus exploration and production of mineral resources should be compatible with, and complementary to, deep geologic waste disposal.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Carlsbad, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-86AL31950
• OSTI ID: 279642
• Report Number(s): DOE/WIPP--95-2129; CONF-960911--1; ON: DE96014294
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
ABANDONED SITES
MINES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND MINING