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China earmarks site to store nuclear waste deep underground

  • Researchers will conduct tests at the location in Gansu to see whether it will make a viable facility to store highly radioactive waste safely
  • Scientists say China has the chance to become a world leader in this field but has to find a way to ensure it does not leak

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A preliminary design for the Beishan Underground Research Laboratory. Photo: Handout

China has chosen a site for an underground laboratory to research the disposal of highly radioactive waste, the country’s nuclear safety watchdog said on Wednesday.

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Officials said work would soon begin on building the Beishan Underground Research Laboratory 400 metres (1,312 feet) underground in the northwestern province of Gansu.

Liu Hua, head of the National Nuclear Safety Administration, said work would be carried out to determine whether it was possible to build a repository for high-level nuclear waste deep underground.

“China sees radioactive waste disposal as a very important part [of the development nuclear energy],” Liu said. “To develop nuclear energy, we must have safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste.”

The Chinese authorities see nuclear power as an important source of energy to help curb carbon emissions and pollution as well as reduce its dependence on fuel imports.

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