Nirex plans for low and intermediate level waste

Two main events have dominated Nirex's recent history: the Radioactive Waste Review and the company's plans to build a rock characterization facility (RCF) at its investigation site near Sellafield in Cumbria. The outcome of the former was announced in a White Paper in July 1995. Decisions on the RCF are subject to a public inquiry which started in September 1995 and finished in February 1996. Given a successful result and confirmation that the site could meet the safety target, a deep repository for intermediate and some low level waste could be available by 2012 or thereabouts. As financing of Nirex's activities is in line with the 'polluter pays' principle, the company is aiming to deliver a cost-effective disposal system which complies fully with the stringent safety requirements placed on it. (author)