Applications for the establishment of investigation areas at the Březový potok and Janoch sites
Applications for the establishment of investigation/exploration areas at the Březový potok and Janoch sites, which are being considered for the potential location of the Czech deep geological disposal facility, have been approved.
The Ministry of the Environment has rejected appeals against the granting of permission to establish investigation/exploration areas for special intervention into the earth’s crust at the Březový potok and Janoch sites. The final approval of these investigation/exploration areas represents an important step forward in terms of the selection of the final and backup sites for the Czech deep geological disposal facility and paves the way to the payment of statutory financial contributions to the affected municipalities.
This development will allow investigation/exploration work to commence at these two sites, including detailed geological mapping, geophysical research and, ultimately, deep borehole drilling. The results of this research will then allow geologists to examine in detail the rock masses in which the disposal facility will potentially be constructed. The scientific information obtained will include data on the mineralogical composition of the rocks, their strength and the presence/absence of fractures and faults, as well as on the composition of the local groundwater and its flow regimes. All the research work performed will make an invaluable contribution to the selection of the most suitable and safest site for the construction of the deep geological disposal facility, which is intended for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste generated in the Czech Republic.
The determination of these two investigation/exploration areas will open the door to the payment of financial contributions to the affected municipalities as determined by national legislation. The contribution to the Březový potok site will amount to CZK 31.2 million per year and to the Janoch site CZK 17 million per year. More detailed information on these financial contributions is available at: https://surao.gov.cz/prispevky-obcim/