The use of underground space in bedrock after e. g. mining works often cause discussions on alternative use of the remaining tunneling system. A decision to fill them with rock blocks, concrete and groundwater is not always optimal since this environmental regulated work requires also financial resources.

The alternative for closing is to establish underground laboratories (UL’s) at these locations and to use the underground spaces for new purposes not related to the mineral extraction. At the same time, there are many challenges related to the transmission of such spaces from production to research and business development. The EU project “Baltic Sea Underground Innovation Network” (BSUIN) offers new innovative methods and solutions for new or a more efficient use of the capabilities of individual UL’s as a part of a consortium of Underground Laboratories in the Baltic Sea region.

The consortium consists of existing or planned laboratories where the geological properties (e. g. geophysical and radiation), organizational structure, safety regulations, accessibility, present and future use and innovation handling are studied in detail. The result of the coordinated efforts will be a more efficient networking and use of the laboratories for innovation and business development.

The existing consortium includes six laboratories from various countries in the Baltic region: Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Oskarshamn, Sweden; Forschungs- und Lehrbergwerk—Research and Educаtion Mine “Reiche Zeche”, Freiberg, Germany; Callio Lab in Pyhäsalmi mine, Pyhäjärvi, Finland; KGHM S.A. mining company, Poland, together with their research organization KGHM CUPRUM, which proposes a conceptual UL prototype is located in one of the KGHM’s deep copper mines; Underground laboratory of Khlopin Institute, St Petersburg, Russia; Underground Laboratory “Ruskeala”, KRC RAS Karelia, Russia.