Underground laboratories for the study of long-lived wastes geologic disposal

An international consensus exists about the fact that a potential disposal site can be characterized and evaluated only if underground facilities are made available. As a support to the development of a disposal project, a research program in an underground laboratory allows to supply relevant information for the evaluation of the general feasibility of the proposed concept. These researches may be carried out in 'generic'-type labs as well, meaning that their geologic and geographic situation do not correspond to a future disposal site. Their aim is to study a particular type of rock (clay, salt, granite..). The later steps include the confirmation of the host rock qualities and the detailed design of the disposal facility. Content: 1 - Context of the underground laboratory researches in France; 2 - the underground laboratories in the framework of the 1991 law: projects, the Meuse/Haute Marne underground laboratory: objectives and design; construction; experiments carried out; contribution of the underground laboratory to the demonstration of the disposal feasibility; 3 - experimental program of the underground laboratory: role of the laboratory in the project development, 2008-2010 program, perspectives beyond 2010, role of the underground laboratory in the French research; 4 - programs of the underground laboratories in Europe: laboratories in granitic formations, laboratories in clayey formations. (J.S.)