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Jul 27, 2009
International experts gaining confidence in proposed site for Deep Geologic Repository for OPG’s low & intermediate level waste
Tiverton, ON: Four renowned experts, with diverse experience in international long-term nuclear waste management programs, are encouraged by the interim results from a planned four-year geologic investigation, initiated in 2006, to verify the suitability of the Bruce Nuclear site for the implementation of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) proposed Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for low and intermediate nuclear waste.
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| Left, GRG members Andreas Gautschi, Joe Pearson, Derek Martin and Jacques Delay view the drilling of an inclined deep borehole as part of their visit to the Bruce site on July 16. |
“With each visit (third visit), we gain confidence in our early assumptions for the Bruce site, “Dr. Derek Martin, a geomechanical engineer from the University of Alberta, said on behalf of the four-member Geoscience Review Group (GRG) - contracted by OPG in 2005 to provide peer review and oversight to ensure the geoscientific site characterization of the Bruce site benefits from independent, international expertise.
The GRG, comprised of Dr. Martin, Dr. Andreas Gautschi, a section head for geosciences at NAGRA – the Swiss National Co-operative for the Disposal for Radioactive Waste, Dr. Joe Pearson, an expert in groundwater geochemistry from North Carolina and Jacques Delay from ANDRA – France’s National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, were at the Bruce site on July 16 to observe the drilling program.
To date, four deep vertical boreholes have been drilled, cored and tested to provide an understanding of the multiple natural geologic barriers which exist beneath the Bruce site and their ability to safely isolate and contain low and intermediate nuclear waste. The GRG is encouraged by the results of these investigations.
Dr. Martin noted that the data so far reflects their early expectations that the geology at and overlying the proposed DGR, to be constructed at 680 metres, consists of tight, low permeability layers of sedimentary rock formations that are stable, predictable and laterally extend over great distances without major fractures or deformities.
“The conditions are better than originally expected,” he said.
The current drilling of two inclined boreholes – one at 60 degrees horizontal with the other at 65 degrees – to respective depths of 840 metres followed by coring and testing will complete the drilling program and in Dr. Martin’s words, “provide final confirmation of the geologic model.”
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| Left, GRG members Andreas Gautschi, Derek Martin, Jacques Delay and Joe Pearson had an opportunity to view the DGR mobile exhibit for OPG’s low and intermediate nuclear waste while they were at the Bruce site on July 16. |
The GRG is working with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) – an independent not-for-profit Canadian company contracted by OPG to manage the DGR for OPG’s low and intermediate level waste through the regulatory approvals process.
For more information about the DGR for OPG’s low and intermediate nuclear waste, please visit www.nwmo.ca/dgr or call 519-368-1639.
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