The controversial Gorleben salt dome in Germany, once considered a potential nuclear waste repository, is being permanently sealed with 400,000 tons of salt.

This marks the end of a decades-long debate over its suitability for storing radioactive waste.

The decision to close the site comes after years of protests and criticism over its selection, which was seen as politically motivated rather than scientifically justified.

Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke emphasized the importance of restoring public trust in the search for a safe nuclear waste storage solution, which is expected to be found by 2050. Meanwhile, 113 containers of radioactive waste remain in temporary storage at Gorleben, with the site's permit expiring in 2034. Critics argue that the closure, costing around two billion euros, highlights the financial and political missteps in Germany's nuclear waste management strategy.