Possibilities for Underground Physics in the Pyh\"asalmi mine

• Main Authors: Trzaska, W. H, Bezrukov, L, Enqvist, T, Joutsenvaara, J, Kuusiniemi, P, Loo, K, Lubsandorzhiev, B, Sinev, V, Slupecki, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-10-2018
• Subjects: Physics - High Energy Physics - Experiment; Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1810.00909

The Pyh\"asalmi mine is uniquely suited to host new generation of large-scale
underground experiments. It was chosen both by the LAGUNA-LBNO and by the LENA
Collaboration as the preferred site for a giant neutrino observatory.
Regrettably, none of these projects got funded. The termination of the
underground excavations in the fall of 2019 marks an important milestone. To
maintain the infrastructure in good condition a new sponsor must be found:
either a large-scale scientific project or new commercial operation. The
considered alternatives for the commercial used of the mine include a
pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant and a high-security underground
data-storage centre. Without a new sponsor the ongoing experiments, including
the cosmic-ray experiment EMMA and the study of 14C content in liquid
scintillators, have to be completed within the next few years.