work can now begin at all the candidate sites being considered for the construction of the Czech deep geological repository
An application for the establishment of an investigation area at the Horka site has been approved; work can now begin at all the candidate sites being considered for the construction of the Czech deep geological repository (DGR).
The application for special intervention into the earth’s crust at the Horka site for the purpose of the potential construction of the Czech DGR has been legally approved by the Ministry of the Environment. Investigation areas at the Březový potok, Hrádek and Janoch sites have already been approved.
The Ministry of the Environment has rejected an appeal against the granting of permission to establish an investigation area for special intervention into the earth’s crust at the Horka site. SÚRAO has now been granted investigation area status at all four sites being considered for the potential construction of the DGR. The final approval of this investigation area represents an important step forward in terms of the selection of the final and backup sites for the Czech DGR and paves the way to the payment of statutory financial contributions to the affected municipalities.
This development allows for the commencement of geological and borehole drilling work at the site.
The investigation work at the four sites will include detailed geological mapping, geophysical research and deep borehole drilling. The results of this research will then allow geologists to examine in detail the rock mass 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 repository, which is intended for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive waste generated in the Czech Republic.
The determination of this investigation area will open the door to the payment of financial contributions to the affected municipalities as determined by national legislation. The contribution to the Horka site will amount to CZK 27.8 million. More detailed information on the financial contribution is available here: