2. Separation of long-lived elements

While the destination of category A waste is currently known (surface storage in centers designed and monitored for the necessary time – 300 years – such as the Centre de Stockage de l'Aube), no decision has yet been taken on the final disposal of B and C waste containing long-lived elements. In France, Law no. 91-1381 of 12/30/1991 on research into radioactive waste management sets a maximum timeframe of 15 years to achieve this, focusing on two complementary lines of research: firstly, the study of reversible or non-reversible storage in deep geological formations, as well as long-term surface and "subsurface" storage; and secondly, the search for solutions enabling the separation and transmutation of long-lived radioactive elements present in the waste to be stored.

Long-lived elements are not limited to actinides alone: the minor actinides neptunium, americium...