Panel Presentation on Deep Borehole Disposal at the DMT Mining Forum in Berlin

The DMT Mining Forum – Raw Materials Momentum took place in Berlin on 18–19 June 2026, organised by the DMT Group. The conference brought together experts from the mining and raw materials sector to discuss current questions relating to a long-term stable supply of raw materials.

Tilman Fischer took part on behalf of BGE TECHNOLOGY GmbH (BGE TEC) in the panel "Legacy Site Management and Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes" and gave an introductory presentation on the topic of "Disposal of Radioactive Waste in Deep Boreholes". The presentation set out deep borehole disposal as an internationally discussed alternative, especially for countries with comparatively small waste inventories.

The presentation addressed key technical parameters of deep borehole disposal, including borehole depth and diameter, waste container design, emplacement operations, and borehole closure and sealing, and their relevance to the respective safety case. Reference was also made to the ASTRA work package of the EURAD2 project and to a research project coordinated by IAEA, both of which address topics such as site selection, engineered barrier systems, and long-term behaviour.

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Marie-Charlotte Bornhöft (DMT Group), also included Ulf Barnekow (Wismut), Moritz Kellner (German Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE)), and Frank Charlier (RWTH Aachen).
The presentation slides are available in the BGE TEC publications.