College of Mining, NUST MISIS, Moscow, Russia:
V. S. Gupalo, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

Institute of Safe Nuclear Power Engineering, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia:
K. S. Kazakov, Deputy Head of Laboratory, kks@ibrae.ac.ru

National Operator for Radioactive Waste Management, Moscow, Russia:
V. Yu. Konovalov, Head of Directorate

Saint-Petersburg Division, Special Science and Production Association Eleron – VNIPIET, Saint-Petersburg, Russia:
A. V. Demin, Deputy Chief Engineer

Based on the generalized international experience gained in the investigation of rock masses toward safe geological disposal of radioactive waste, as well as reviews of the source data requirementsfo r the safety evaluation, synchronizability of studies into rock mass properties and operations of heading during construction of permanent openings for an underground research laboratory (URL) is analyzed. The exploration operations to be implemented during heading are reviewed and structured. Simultaneity of the research and construction cycles in the course of heading, including the required conditions for the exploration, is discussed. The implementable research planning is based on the grouping of efforts with respect to four performance periods: standard studies—to be performed along the whole length of a shaft; interval studies—to be performed in certain intervals between elevations; stationary studies—detailed elaboration of subsurface geology in the near and far zones of an underground geological radioactive waste disposal with an instrumental support package; post-heading studies during shaft cementing/reinforcement and operation—to be performed with periodic measurements. The authors are deeply thankful to Andrei V. Travin, Deputy Director of Engineering Design, SPb-Giproshakht, for the active participation in preparation of this article, valued recommendations and ideas on the research organization in the course of heading in the framework of the Underground Research Laboratory project.

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