New long-term research programme

2002 - 2003: More than 60 experiment proposals have been elaborated by scientists from different European countries and from Japan. About 1/3 of these experiments were preselected and agreed by the partners.
2003: Start of the new long-term research programme after approval by the République et Canton du Jura.
Excavation of the two new niches HE-D and EZ-A for the two key experiments HE-D (Thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling behaviour of host rock) and EZ-A (Excavation disturbed zone cut-off).

2004:

 

2005:

Extension of the rock laboratory: Excavation of a 20 m long start niche and a 60 m long access tunnel of the Gallery 04 together with four large niches for key experiments.

Start of four new experiments in the Gallery 04. Gas path through host rock and along seals (HG-A Experiment), fracture generation in excavation disturbed zone (EZ-B Experiment), self-sealing barriers of clay/sand mixtures (SB Experiment) and radionuclide diffusion and retention long-term (DR) Experiment.

 

2006:

 

 

2007:

 

 

2008:

 

 

2009:

There is not enough space available for future new experiments. Therefore, the Mont Terri Partners have decided to extend the rock laboratory in order to have enough new space by 2008 and the partners are able to continue their research under the best possible conditions. This extension is called the Gallery 08.

The planning has started: budget, time schedule and programme. In April 07, potential mining contractors are invited to submit an offer. Authorisation of the Gallery 08 is expected in July 07 and mobilisation and installation work will presumably start in November 2008. A plan of the Gallery 08 is here available.

The Gallery 08 has been excavated and lined (Consortium ATNB-mtp), with a total length of 167 m and about 60 m of niches. Break through was on 25 August 2008. The Gallery 08 was ready by end of December 2008, according to the time schedule. Effective costs did exceed the budget by less than 1%.

Completion of installations in Gallery 08, including a new alarm system, which is connected to the Mont Terri highway tunnel. Start of new experiments in the Gallery 08: Mine-by test (MB)and Hydrogen transfer (HT). 

 Start of Phase 15.