Radioactive waste research
Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, head of the DDPS, paid tribute in a ceremonial address to the importance of an underground laboratory in St.-Ursanne in research and with regard to studies on the storage of CO2. In the 25 years, the rock laboratory was able to acquire a scientific reputation on an international level.
At the Mont Terri underground laboratory in St.-Ursanne (JU), experiments have been conducted on clay rock since 1996. The focus is also on research into the possibilities of storing radioactive waste and storing CO2 in deep repositories.
Opening of the laboratory in the Opalinus Clay formation in 1996
The scientific management is in the hands of the Federal Office of Topography. In her speech, Federal Councillor Viola Amherd praised the importance of the laboratory for research. The Jura rock laboratory is located 300 meters below the earth's surface and is adjacent to the safety tunnel of the A16 highway tunnel under Mont Terri.
The first experiments were carried out in 1996. Due to its success, the laboratory was gradually expanded and today extends as a pure research institute in a tunnel of about 1.2 kilometers. According to the Federal Office of Topography, more than 150 experiments have been conducted to date. In 70 percent of the ongoing experiments, the Opalinus clay rock is examined for its properties for the future storage of radioactive waste in deep repositories. The experiments are often long-term, and a third of them are still in progress.
Source: Federal Office of Topography
