Press Releases
The deployment, on a large scale, of European and international collaborative research, development, and demonstration for deep geological disposal follows from the IGD-TP initiative, a dedicated technology platform launched in 2009. IGD-TPs draft Deployment Plan is now available for public consultation at the website www.igdtp.eu until 13th February 2012.
28.11.2011 ONKALO prepares for test boring of final disposal holes
The excavation of the underground characterisation facility ONKALO, commenced by Posiva in 2004, will soon be finished. The excavation will continue at a depth of 437 metres on the technical level where ONKALO's ventilation and personnel shafts will be completed during 2012. A second demonstration tunnel is being excavated above the technical level at a depth of 420 metres. The tunnel will be completed at the beginning of 2012. Full-scale test boring of final disposal holes will be launched in the demonstration tunnels in the next few days. For the boring, Posiva has created a project called KapRe, which involves acquisition of the required boring equipment, for example. The equipment has been designed and manufactured by TRB Raise Borers Oy, which is based in Tampere, Finland, and supplied by Sandvik Mining and Construction Finland Oy.
07.10.2011 Posiva and SKB continue cooperation in the final disposal of nuclear fuel
Posiva and SKB, a Swedish-based nuclear waste management company, have signed a three-year cooperation contract related to the research and development of the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Through the cooperation, the companies can effectively utilise their resources in encapsulation and final disposal technology.
02.02.2011 The ventilation building of ONKALO at rooftop height – underground work also progressing
The ONKALO ventilation building project located in Olkiluoto is now at rooftop height. In the future, the approximately 20-metre-high building will be the place for taking care of ONKALO’s ventilation in a centralised and effective way so that the capacity of the building’s ventilation systems will also cater to the needs of the final disposal facilities. The systems of the building will be gradually introduced during this year: air will be conducted through the intake air shaft to the level of ONKALO’s technical facilities at the depth of 437 metres. Rakennustyöt Ville Kauppi Oy is in charge of the ventilation building project.
03.01.2011 Worker dies in accident at ONKALO
A fatal accident took place at the construction site of the underground research facility ONKALO in Olkiluoto, Eurajoki late on Sunday 2 January 2011. The accident occurred at the back of a tunnel reaching a depth of over 400 metres. Three workers equipped with iron bars were scaling the tunnel walls and ceiling. One of the workers was caught under a block of stone being barred down and died of the injuries he sustained.