Matt White
Matt White
Consultant
Dr. Matthew J. White has degrees in Geology from Durham University (BSc) and from Royal Holloway University of London (PhD), and is a Chartered Geologist. He has over 14 years consultancy experience on radioactive waste disposal, considering regulation and licensing, site selection, site characterisation, repository design and performance assessment, long-term storage of radioactive waste, regulation of nuclear facilities, and public communication and stakeholder dialogue. Matt has contributed to radioactive waste management projects in the UK, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, in addition to contributing to international projects and research. He has reviewed the waste management approaches of all major national programmes.
Matt is highly familiar with all aspects of the UK geological disposal programme for some LLW, ILW, HLW and spent fuel, as he is currently seconded part-time to NDA RWMD to provide in-house support on these topics, and others, including long-term management of nuclear materials (e.g. Pu and U) and waste implications of proposed new build.
He has particular expertise in site selection and site characterisation. Site selection work has been undertaken for ENRESA, Japanese organisations, and for Pangea Resources International. He has specific expertise in geology and hydrogeology, including data acquisition, interpretation and modelling, the development of integrated spatial and temporal databases, and the interface between site characterisation and performance assessment. He has provided advice for the last ten years on the site characterisation programme undertaken by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) in the Tono area of Japan.
His work in site characterisation has included the development and application of tools for interpreting geological and engineering data in 3D and for visualizing spatial information. Work in this area has been undertaken for the Environment Agency, Nirex, UKAEA, SKB, ENRESA, JGC, JAEA, JNFL, Kajima Corporation, RWMC and the European Commission. He has also been involved in major software development programmes including the development of an integrated geological, hydrogeological and visualisation software system for application during investigations associated with the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory in Japan for JAEA, and the development of the Rock Visualisation System in association with the site characterisation and repository planning work of SKB.
He has undertaken PA projects for UKAEA and for the Environment Agency, and has supported the development of PA methodologies for ANDRA, JGC, JNC, Nirex, SKI and the EC. This has included scenario development work, colloid modelling, assessment of gas modelling software, review of gas migration processes, and studies related to the El Berrocal, Tono Mine and Maqarin Natural Analogues, and the Russian Anthropogenic Analogues (liquid radioactive waste injection sites).
He was the Deputy Project Manager for the Environment Agency’s review of BNFL’s safety case for the LLW disposal facility near Drigg. His work has included analysis of biosphere modelling issues, the interaction between the geosphere and the biosphere, and inventory determinations.
He provided technical support to CoRWM, including the development of position papers to support evaluation of waste management options, and participation in option evaluation workshops.
He has provided support for risk communication projects related to LLW and HLW disposal projects and environmental remediation. This has included review of international approaches and trends in risk communication, and assistance in the running and reporting of stakeholder dialogue programmes related to BPEO studies. Work for UKAEA has included the development and application of BPEO studies in order to provide input into waste management decision-making, including presentation of BPEO studies to stakeholder groups using interactive software. Matt project managed the Windscale IWS BPEO study, and has contributed technically to several BPEO studies for UKAEA Dounreay including the LLW BPEO study, the Shaft End State BPEO study, and the PFR Raffinates BPEO study.