Retrieval of nuclear waste from the former research mine Asse II. Documentation of a lecture series at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)

From today's point of view, the former potash and salt mine Asse II is one of the biggest failures in German nuclear policy. For several decades, water has been entering the mine uncontrolled. In it, more than 125,000 barrels of low and intermediate level radioactive waste were dumped between 1967 and 1978. This water ingress and the extensive mine workings endanger the stability of the mining plant. In 2008, there was a public scandal when the broad public was informed of the continuous water ingress and the planned solutions. In this context, the ''research mine under decommissioning'' formally became a final repository. Since 2009, the final repository has been operated by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Partially due to the mine's restricted stability the accelerated retrieval of the waste products from the mine was legally established in April 2013. The mini-series of lectures at ITAS will discuss, among others, the questions of the historical background of this predicament and the current radiological exposure. Special attention will be given to questions of public participation. The Asse II accompanying group was the first German approach to nuclear policy decision- making that explicitly and constantly involves local actors and civil society. Selected speakers provide insight into their experiences and analyses. The four lectures are: 1st Detlev Moeller (BfS): The history of the Asse II repository (1964-2009) and its relevance today. 2. Beate Kallenbach-Herbert (Öko-Institut Darmstadt): Public Participation in the Decommissioning of Asse II. 3. Silvia Stumpf (PTKA-WTE): The Accompanying Process Asse II from the Perspective of the Working Group Options (AGO). 4th Volker Metz (INE at KIT): On the release of radioactive isotopes and the retention potential in the emplacement chambers of the Asse II mine.