CLC Learns about Geoscientific, Engineering and Safety Assessment Results for South Bruce

For Immediate Release
February 7, 2024

SOUTH BRUCE, ON – Representatives from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) presented an updated Confidence in Safety Report for South Bruce at the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) monthly meeting on February 1st.

Results from the NWMO’s ongoing safety assessment show that a deep geological repository (DGR) can be safely built and operated in South Bruce, according to NWMO Director of Geoscience, Andy Parmenter and Manager of Safety Assessment Integration, Mark Gobien.

The safety study looks at geological, engineering, and human elements of a DGR throughout its entire lifespan. Safety analyses started during the site selection process and will continue until the facility, wherever it is sited, is decommissioned.

Parmenter explained that the geology in South Bruce is well suited to host the Project. The properties, such as rock density, of the Cobourg Formation, lack of seismic activity and absence of retrievable economically significant natural resources. Results were determined through 3D seismic surveys, borehole drilling, shallow groundwater wells and further geological studies undertaken by the NWMO.

Following Parmenter’s geoscience review, Gobien detailed the NWMO’s engineering and design work to ensure the highest level of safety for a DGR. This includes testing the multi-barrier system, developing shielded barriers that reduces or eliminates radiation, planning future site-specific designs, and more.

“We built full scale containers and put them under extreme pressure - well beyond their design specs,” said Gobien. “The pressure required to crush the container was equivalent to having it under 4.2 KM of ice, so absolutely enormous pressures. What we found when we did this test was the containers remained leak tight. There was no release of the test gasses that we had within the container, so even when crushed it retained its ability to contain anything within the canister.”

Further site-specific information to better characterize the site, will take place if it is selected to host the DGR.

The presentation shared by the NWMO is available on the Municipal website and in the agenda package from the meeting. The full Confidence in Safety Report and GHD peer review report are expected to be published later this month and will be available on the municipal website at www.southbruce.ca/studies. The CLC will meet again on March 7th and will host an educational presentation on the Summary Report on Safety and the Natural Environment Studies being prepared by GHD.

-30-