Homestake selected as DUSEL by National Science Foundation
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected the former Homestake mine in Lead as the site to be developed as the proposed Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL). Gov. Rounds received the long-awaited news from Dr. Kevin T. Lesko, Principal Investigator for the Homestake Collaboration of scientists from across the country who have supported the Homestake proposal.
“This is great news for science and of course for the children of South Dakota and the region,” said Gov. Rounds.
“The NSF site selection process was rigorous and fair. On behalf of the citizens of South Dakota, Dr. Lesko and I encourage and welcome collaboration members from the other three sites to join with us in making the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory a world class laboratory. My hope is that the tremendous talent and wealth of ideas proposed by all of the scientists will come together for the advancement of science,” said Gov. Rounds.
“We must all extend our deep appreciation to Barrick Gold Corporation and Homestake Mining Company for generously donating the mine, surface buildings and inventory. Without this donation, none of this would be possible. I want to publicly thank the NSF for its thorough selection process; the Homestake Collaboration scientists for the tremendous amount of time and talent invested in making Homestake’s case, including Dr. William Roggenthen, co-Principal Investigator from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology; Mr. T. Denny Sanford for his generous donation of $70 million; the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority which owns the property; the South Dakota legislature and our Congressional delegation; Black Hills Vision, and the many communities, organizations and individuals which contributed to this outcome today,” said Gov. Rounds.
“Mr. Sanford’s generous gift will enable the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake to provide space for early experimental programs as well as the initiation of a substantial education effort,” said Gov. Rounds.
Dr. Lesko explained, “The Sanford gift will greatly enhance the underground laboratory, particularly in creating the 4,850 feet level lab. This will establish the starting point for the NSF’s funded efforts reaching down to at least 8,000 feet below ground over the next 30 to 50 years.”
“Unprecedented opportunities of public outreach and education in South Dakota and the region will go hand in hand with advancing our scientific endeavors,” said Gov. Rounds.
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The University of California at Berkeley, on behalf of the Homestake Collaboration, submitted the Homestake Conceptual Design Proposal to the NSF last January, 2007. Three other sites were also considered. The NSF’s site selection committee visited and heard presentations from all four sites. The other three sites were the Soudan Mine in Minnesota, the Henderson Mine in Colorado and the Pioneer Tunnel in Washington.
The NSF has indicated their intention to provide $5 million a year for the next three years to develop a more specific technical design for the laboratory. The NSF Science Board, Congress and the President must approve the DUSEL project, estimated at ~$500M, half of which would be used to develop scientific instrumentation for the laboratory. See NSF Press Release
