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3.1 Multinational
Repository: The
latest Annual Report of Pangea's Scientific Review Group (SRG),
comprising nine distinguished and independent scientists reviewing
plans for disposal of high-level wastes, comments that "we
have been fascinated by the science, intrigued at the potential
to solve the scientific challenges and concerned by the complexity
of the more problematical social issues. After a year of operation
the SRG believes it has a significant role to play in ensuring
that any science undertaken by or for Pangea Resources International
is of the highest quality." Pangea is pursuing its plans
for an international repository for high-level nuclear wastes,
primarily for countries with small nuclear power programs,
and the SRG is currently reviewing a number of technical reports
on siting, indefinite storage versus geological disposal,
and transport.
3.2
France: Construction of the deep underground laboratory
at the Bure site (east France) is underway. Shaft-digging
began September 2000 following construction of surface installations
earlier in the year. The laboratory will be used to determine
whether the site is suitable for the deep geological disposal
of HLW and ILW. ANDRA will carry out work in the core of the
bedrock until 2006, at which date the government will decide
on the best solutions to manage, in the very long term, the
high activity and long-lived radioactive wastes. (see also
http://www.andra.fr/)
3.3
Switzerland: An application to build an underground
test gallery at the proposed Wellenberg low- and intermediate-level
radioactive waste (LLW and ILW) repository site was approved
by the canton of Nidwalden in October 2001. This approval
must be ratified by a public referendum, which could take
place during 2002. If the licence is granted, the test gallery
will be used to determine the suitability of the site for
an eventual repository. If results are positive, a further
referendum will be needed to determine whether or not a licence
should be granted for the repository itself.
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