OREANDA-NEWS. The conference is timed to the 65th anniversary of the industry leader in the design of mineral and mining facilities, scientific, R&D and experimental projects. Its main subject was "Radioactive Waste Treatment Philosophy: Pros and Cons of Legacy and New Technologies."

Opening the conference, Director of VNIPIpromtekhnologii Yuri Dmitrakov, in particular, noted: "The problem of radioactive waste disposal now is more pressing than ever. Radioactive waste management issues concern both industry experts and ordinary citizens around the world. And, perhaps, new theories, assumptions and new agreements made in the course of the conference will subsequently play their role for all of humanity."

It should be noted that VNIPIpromtekhnologii, which is the Engineering Center of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co. has been seriously working on this subject almost from the date of its creation. During the Soviet times, the scientists were involved in design and safety issues of conducting nuclear explosions; then, after the signing of Partial Test Ban Treaty VNIPIpromtekhnologii turned to the design of radioactive and toxic waste burial facilities. One of the latest successful projects relates to the creation of an underground research lab in the vicinity of the closed town of Zheleznogorsk, in gneiss rocks of the Lower Kansky Massif. Project owner is FSUE National Radioactive Waste Management Operator. Professional work of VNIPIpromtekhnologii’s experts resulted in favorable conclusions of FAA Glavgosexpertiza issued for design and estimate documentation of the project, which allows to start construction of the unique facility.

The conference is attended by representatives of companies specializing in waste management (FSUE RosRAO, FSUE NO RAO, FSUE PO Mayak, FSUE RADON, FSUE MCC), research centers (Kurchatov Institute Research Centre), major institutions of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IGEM RAS, NSI RAS, GC RAS, ARRICT, Bochvar VNIINM) and educational institutions (MEPhI, SevGU, St. Petersburg University of Technology), delegates from scientific and technical organizations of Japan and Germany. The reports cover a wide range of topics from processing of uranium mine tailings and nitride SNF of fast reactors to various radioactive waste disposal issues.

Already on the first day of the conference the reports aroused vivid interest among delegates. The participants praised high level of organization of the event and thoughtful approach to the selection of topics.