Minatom has discussed the possible construction of a burial facility for medium- and low-level radwaste on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic north-west. The facility would take wastes from the Murmansk and Archangel regions, accumulated as a result of operation and disposal of nuclear-powered submarines and ice-breakers. In particular, wastes would be transported to Novaya Zemlya from the Mironova Gora temporary storage site.
Public hearings were held in 2001, and earlier this year, the state commission on ecology gave its aproval to the project. The construction costs will amount to $73 million, and it will take 36 months to complete. The first phase would include construction of galleries up to 90m deep and a special port intended for intermediate reloading of radwaste.
