Use Underground Mines for Disposal of Radioactive Waste of the 3rd and 4th Classes

Abstract

Link for citation: Gorin N.V., Kuchinov V.P., Usanov S.V., Vasiliev A.P. Use of underground mines for disposal of radioactive waste of the 3rd and 4th classes. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 9, рр. 128-136. In Rus. Relevance. Searching for the sites for radioactive waste disposal was carried out during the Soviet times and slowed down after the breakup of the USSR. It is proposed to return to the achieved results in this area and to get back to work on radioactive waste disposal site selection, since the disposal facilities for radioactive waste of the 3rd and 4th classes under construction will not be able to cope with the predicted amount of radioactive waste. Purpose: to offer as one of possible solutions, to use the free space of exhausted mines for the disposal of radioactive waste of the 3rd and 4th classes, including exhausted mines at the existing mining enterprises, and to consider the conditions of their use; to pay special attention to promoting public awareness, since public opinion may prevail over all other arguments. Subjects: exhausted and operating mines, accumulated amount of radioactive waste in the world and in Russia, selection of reliable sources of information, domestic experience of nuclear waste disposal in exhausted mines. Methods. The paper considers the possibilities of nuclear waste disposal from the viewpoint of current regulations and mine operation experience. Results. It is shown that waste handling necessitates public consultations and informing the population. Reliable sources of information on the amount of radioactive waste of different classes generated in the Russian Federation, as well as on their distribution by region and major enterprises are provided. It is noted that the amount of radioactive waste is two orders of magnitude less than that of municipal solid waste, but radioactive waste attracts more public attention in the media, and this should be taken into account when handling it, and organizing its storage and disposal.