First Images Reveal Deteriorating Nuclear Waste Barrels Deep Inside Asseโข Mine
Asse, Germany – December 2, 2025 – Newly released photographs offer the first visual confirmation of โฃthe advanced state of decay afflicting approximately 126,000 barrels of nuclear waste stored within the Asse II saltโ mine. The images, depicting containers in โchamber โฃ8a, underscore growing concernsโ about the feasibility of retrieving the material, aโ task politicians across the german political spectrum have pledged to undertake.โฃ
The revelation comes as pressure mounts to address the long-term safety of the Asse II repository,which was used between 1967โ and 1978 to store low- and โintermediate-level โradioactive waste. While the mine was intended โขas a โคtemporary solution, decades of โwater ingressโค and corrosion have compromised the integrity of the barrels and the surrounding salt formations. Aโค former official responsible for โoverseeing theโฃ repatriation process recentlyโข statedโ that a complete removal of the waste is now “almost unachievable,” raising questionsโค about the future of the siteโ and the potential environmental risks.
The Asse II mine, located in Lower Saxony, was originally a โฃsalt mine before being โขrepurposed forโข nuclear waste disposal. The waste originates from various sources, including nuclear power plants and research facilities. The photographs, obtained โby NDR, show visible corrosion on numerous barrels, with someโ exhibiting significant structural damage. This deterioration raises fears that radioactive materials could โleach into the surrounding โgroundwater,potentially โcontaminating the environment and posing a threat to public โฃhealth.
Politicians have repeatedly emphasized the need to remove theโค waste,โข citing the mine’s instability and the long-term risks associated with its continued storage. However, theโ technical challenges and potential costs of retrieval โขare substantial. The former repatriation official’s assessment โsuggests that the situation might potentially โbe farโ more complexโ than previously understood, potentially necessitating alternative long-term management strategies.