From November 24th to 29th, the BGE, in cooperation with the BGR, organised the 9th International Conference on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement (Clay Conference) in Hanover. More than 460 participants from over 25 countries came together at the Congress Centrum Hannover. An introductory mini-lecture series on various issues relating to clay and clay rocks, followed by an icebreaker event, prepared the participants for the scientific part of the conference. The participants presented and discussed the latest research and development findings on clay and clay rocks as geotechnical barriers and host rocks. 130 oral and 221 poster presentations were given.
The scientific program included seven overarching plenary sessions in the mornings, 18 parallel sessions dedicated to specific specialist topics in the afternoons and daily poster sessions. Important topics of the conference were national case studies from Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain, geological-mineralogical characterization of clays and clay rocks, modelling of coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-chemical processes, construction and operation of repository mines and, this year, a strong focus on optimization and future aspects of digitalization (artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, BIM and digital twins).
In the poster exhibition, the scientific posters were displayed centrally in the main area throughout the conference, providing plenty of space for lively discussions. 64 young researchers and newcomers presented their posters. A perfect opportunity to discuss with experienced colleagues. The nine top-rated poster presentations were awarded during the closing ceremony on Thursday.
To sum it up: the Clay Conference was a great success. We would like to thank all participants and supporters for their contribution and hope to see many of you again next time.
The 10th International Conference of Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement will be jointly organised by the waste management organisations from Belgium, ONDRAF/NIRAS, and the Netherlands, COVRA, in spring 2027.
Repository projects and programmes, including RD&D programmes for clay-based disposal systems worldwide
Geology, hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry
Hydro-mechanical and gas transport processes during the excavation, operational and post-closure phases
Chemical and mineralogical alteration processes and microbiological processes
Technological operations, performance assessment and optimization of components
Artificial Intelligence apps, digitalisation and Digital Twins applicable to or motivated by radwaste disposal
Repository projects and programmes, including RD&D programmes for clay-based disposal systems worldwide
Geology, hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry
Hydro-mechanical and gas transport processes during the excavation, operational and post-closure phases
Chemical and mineralogical alteration processes and microbiological processes
Technological operations, performance assessment and optimization of components
Artificial Intelligence apps, digitalisation and Digital Twins applicable to or motivated by radwaste disposal
Local organising committee of the 9th International Conference on Clays in Natural and Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement 2024
organised by BGE in cooperation with BGR