Bure underground laboratory nearing completion

Brief

June 09, 2004

ANDRA, the French radioactive waste management agency, has announced that it has found no flaw in the quality of the Bure clays that would have an impact on the disposal of high-level nuclear waste. Another 20 meters must be excavated in both shafts, and then construction of an experimental compartment will begin this summer.
ANDRA must submit an interim report on the feasibility of very long-term disposal of high-level, long-lived radioactive waste in the Bure substratum to the government in June 2005. A final report will follow in December 2005.