NUSEL Update #5 - July 7, 2003
Dear NUSEL colleagues:
This is just a quick note to the collaboration that our reference
design project book is completed. It is in the collaboration
section on our web page.
We recommend that you not print section G, as we don't want too
many of the engineering spreadsheets circulating.
We are aiming for submission next Friday, July 11th. Some of
you commented on an earlier draft. This is the last chance!
Also, you may notice that the cost has increased. In fact, the
current design is more efficient than that of the original
proposal, saving greatly on shaft extensions and new drift
excavations. The increases come because:
We continue to be concerned about the flooding (which may be
proceeding more slowly than most estimates) and about the
possibility Barrick will not turn over any underground
infrastructure. But I do not believe we can do anything
useful on these issues now. Governor Rounds is putting a
great deal of effort into the site issue.
Finally, here is a contribution from my experimental colleague
Gordon Watts. It shows we are making progress:
From: SMTP%"gwatts@phys.washington.edu" 3-JUL-2003 18:05:41.17
One of my rear tires disintegrated on I90, near exit 287 in South
Dakota. New tire required, I spotted a hand written sign for "John's
Tires" on the interstate. Small town, the fellow was fairly surly. Not
sure he would have been willing to give me the time, even. He replaced
my tires. While waiting his son shows up and we get to talking. Finds
out I know some physics and the first thing out of his mouth is
Homestake. Soon the Dad has joined in. By the time I drove off the cost
of the tire replacement had dropped about 10% from the original quote.
Cheers,
1) We no longer have federal indemnity as an option. The
state will have to insure Barrick. We took a guess as
to the level of the insurance.
2) We decide, given all of the scientific interest plus
post 9/11 issues, to make the low-level counting
facility state of the art.
3) We included a Yates rock conveyor. This will only pay
for itself when we do the megadetector. But if one is
convinced that will happen, then it is logical to
build the conveyor early, as it saves on all rock costs.
4) We include excavations and a laboratory for earth
science, and recognize that the cost of utilities to
8000 ft (where the geomicrobiology will be done) will
be expensive, post flooding.
5) We used 40% contingencies, not 25%, on most construction.
With all of this, the cost increased by 20%.
Subject: Discount on tires in South Dakota
Gordon.