James Archibald, a professor in the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, will contribute his expertise to a three-member Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission -- Canadian Environmental Assessment Act panel. 

James Archibald has recently been named to a three-member Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) – Canadian Environmental Assessment Act panel that will review a proposed deep geological repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste in Ontario.

Dr. Archibald, Gunter Muecke, an associate professor at Dalhousie University, and Stella Swanson, an environmental consultant, have been appointed to the Joint Review Panel by the Federal Minister of the Environment and President of the CNSC. They will review the Ontario Power Generation’s application to build a deep geological repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste at the Bruce Nuclear site that would be approximately 700 metres underground.

Dr. Archibald brings extensive environmental assessment experience to the panel. From 1990-1992, he was one of 12 technical advisors on a Federal Environmental Review Agency panel that examined the feasibility of deep underground disposal of nuclear fuel waste. Following that work, he served from 1993-1997 on a Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency federal/provincial panel that reviewed Saskatchewan’s uranium mines development.

Dr. Archibald, a professor in the Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining, will contribute his expertise as a mining engineer to the review process. One aspect of his research focuses on designing structures in rock that require minimal artificial support. Furthermore, he has contributed to the development of underground support and ventilation systems that minimize uranium miners’ exposure to radon gas.