Germany to bury nuclear waste but toxic dispute unresolved

In Salzgitter, Germany, an old iron ore mine is being transformed into the Konrad repository, a facility to house Germany’s radioactive waste. 

The site, situated a kilometre underground, is projected to store over 300,000 cubic meters of low- and intermediate-level waste from shuttered nuclear plants. 

Engineers aim to encase waste in concrete to prevent radiation release, ensuring long-term containment.

Set to open in the early 2030s, Konrad represents Germany’s sole approved nuclear waste storage location, a decision marked by decades of debate and legal battles. 

Environmental groups, such as Nabu, argue that the repository is outdated and unsafe, while locals near the Konrad mine continue to oppose the plan. For Germany’s anti-nuclear activists, who achieved the shutdown of the last reactor in 2022, the fight to address nuclear waste risks remains ongoing.

Construction challenges have delayed the opening and raised costs to €5.5 billion. As Germany pursues additional underground sites for highly radioactive materials, officials estimate the search could last another 50 years due to ongoing opposition and technical difficulties.