Current state of construction of the Konrad ultimate storage facility

In accordance with the current nuclear energy and mining approvals the BfS is constructing an ultimate storage facility for radioactive waste in the former Konrad iron ore mine in Salzgitter in Lower Saxony. It is planned to transfer up to 303,000 m3 solid or solidified radioactive waste with negligible heat generation to specially constructed storage chambers at depths of over 800 m. The infrastructure required for this purpose is currently under construction below ground and on the surface. To minimise the construction time the corresponding work is being carried out in parallel as far as possible also underground. Hence both shafts are being converted at the same time and the storage chambers with the further required mineworkings constructed. The shafts are being repaired and in future will be equipped with new winding gear. Further temporary winding equipment and platforms for the necessary work are currently installed in both shafts in addition to existing winding gear. Despite the resulting current bottlenecks in shaft winding various new large vehicles, which have to be transported to the site in a dismantled state, are assembled and put into operation. The first storage chamber was driven by a selective-cut machine. In addition to the complex underground measures further comprehensive construction of buildings and other installations on the surface, in particular at the future Konrad 2 storage site, are required. (orig.)