For the full remediation of the hazardous waste landfill (SMDK) in Kölliken/AG, the SMDK decided to excavate the hazardous waste accumulated between 1978-1985 under the protection of an airtight steel-framed hall and to dispose of it in accordance with the applicable legislation. Based on a new concept of a large-surface, column-free hall, ARGE Phoenix opted for a layered, flat-surface excavation instead of proceeding with vertical extraction as originally intended. This eliminates the risks connected with a steep slope. The landfill was removed layer by layer starting from the top. One of the advantages of this approach is that the material can be sampled before excavation and can be divided up into various categories.
Health & safety equipment in the hall: Special machines and equipment are used to excavate the landfill. The operators work in airtight cabins and are supplied with fresh air. They enter and leave the cabins via docking stations that are accessed directly from the uncontaminated area, called the White Zone.
Excavation and transport lines: The material is conveyed from the extraction cell to the warehouse on three extraction and transport lines that run through the hall. At the end of the lines the material is packaged.
