Digging Deeper: The Rock Beneath Us
Living here in Northwestern Ontario, we are no strangers to rock. It defines our landscape. But when it comes to the proposed Revell Site and the plan to build a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) right next door to Melgund Township, the quality of that rock becomes the most important topic in town. The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has released their latest findings on the granite beneath our feet, and as your neighbours, we took a closer look at what the Impact Assessment is actually saying.
What We Are Learning
In simple terms, the proponent is telling us that the granite at the project site is solid, consistent, and plentiful. They plan to bury the waste about 750 meters down—that’s roughly the height of the CN Tower and a half, underground. They describe the rock as “homogeneous,” meaning it is mostly the same throughout, and “competent,” meaning it is strong enough to hold the tunnels. They also state that based on what they see on the surface, there is no evidence to suggest we need to worry about landslides or unstable ground.
The Reality Check
While “solid rock” sounds reassuring, we need to separate the promises from the proof.
- What is being promised: The NWMO claims the rock is uniform and that the repository can be safely tucked between major fracture zones (cracks in the bedrock).
- What we need to verify: The report relies on “inferred” structural features. In plain English, this means they are making an educated guess about where the cracks are, rather than knowing for sure. If the rock isn’t as “homogeneous” as they think, those cracks could be closer to the waste than planned.
- What is being promised: There is “no evidence” of risk for landslides or ground instability.
- What we need to verify: Saying there is “no evidence” right now isn’t the same as proving it won’t happen over thousands of years. We need to know if the ground will remain stable through future seismic events, not just that it looks okay today.
The Path Forward
We identified a significant gap in the current data: the reliance on “inferred” maps rather than hard data. The report notes that the location of fracture zones is currently an estimation. The Gap: If these estimates are wrong, the structural integrity of the repository could be compromised.
The Solution: We are calling for the proponent to provide high-resolution 3D seismic imaging and borehole verification data. We need to see a 3D model that proves exactly where those cracks are before anyone says the site is suitable. Furthermore, we need a long-term stability analysis that looks thousands of years into the future, ensuring that the “minimal overburden” (soil on top) doesn’t hide deep-seated risks.
Why It Matters Here
For families in Borups Corners and Dyment, this isn’t just geology; it’s about the safety of our water and our future. If the rock fractures unexpectedly, it changes how water moves underground. We enjoy a quiet life here, but that peace of mind relies on knowing that what is buried deep down stays there. We cannot accept “inferred” safety; we need proven safety.
Have Your Say
This affects our future. Submit your feedback on this specific issue via our Engage page to ensure the Impact Assessment Agency hears from our community.
The Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is reviewing the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s (NWMO) proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) at the Revell Site, located near Ignace and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation in Northwestern Ontario.
This major nuclear infrastructure project is undergoing a joint federal review by the IAAC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to evaluate environmental, health, social, and Indigenous rights impacts over its projected 160-year lifecycle.
Public Feedback Open: Comments on the Initial Project Description are accepted until February 4, 2026. Submissions help shape the formal impact assessment guidelines.
This short article and summary is based on an initial analysis of a proponent’s initial project description. It does not represent, any community the NWMO or the Government of Canada. Learn more at the Melgund Integrated Nuclear Impact Assessment Project project page.
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