Construction of an underground research laboratory by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, at a site east of Lac du Bonnet in the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet, started in 1982. The laboratory consisted of above-ground support buildings and a 420-metre-deep structure in a granite batholith of the Precambrian Shield. AECL constructed the facility to provide a setting for research and development activities in support of its nuclear fuel waste management program. In 1990, the facility received an Achievement Award from the Association of Professional Engineers of Manitoba.
The laboratory was closed in June 2003 and below-ground instrumentation and surface buildings were removed. The decommissioning process was completed in 2010.
AECL Underground Research Laboratory (1991)
Source: George Penner
AECL Underground Research Laboratory (July 1992)
Source: George Penner
AECL Underground Research Laboratory (1991)
Source: George Penner
Aerial view of the former site of the AECL Underground Research Laboratory (July 2019)
Source: George Penner
Former site of the AECL Underground Research Laboratory (April 2019)
Source: George Penner
Former site of the AECL Underground Research Laboratory (April 2019)
Source: George Penner
Former site of the AECL Underground Research Laboratory (April 2019)
Source: George PennerSite Location (lat/long): N50.25255, W95.86537
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Whiteshell Laboratories / Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment (LGD of Pinawa)
“Twenty years of underground research at Canada’s URL” by N. A. Chandler, WM '03 Conference, 23-27 February 2003, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
“Closing of $40-M lab shocks Pinawa area,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 May 2003.
“Whiteshell labs closes underground facility forever,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 December 2010.
This page was prepared by George Penner and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 6 February 2022
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