The MIU Project deals with the geological environment that has an appropriate stretch and depth but has not been disturbed by human activities. The MIU Project is expected to contribute to the research and development of geological disposal as well as the academic researches on the deep geological environment. For this reason, it is essential to carry out comprehensive and systematic researches. These researches aim at not only understanding the geological environment and the effects of shaft excavation on it but also developing the methodology and required equipments.

As the contents of researches differ from Phase to Phase, goals are set for each Phase. Goals of the entire MIU Project are also set.
The goals of the entire projects are as follows²⁾ :

To establishment comprehensive techniques for investigating the geological environment

The first goal is to systematically combine the fundamental methodologies developed and improved in the geoscientific researches and to provide comprehensive and synthesized investigation strategies. These strategies are to demonstrate the effectiveness of a series of techniques for reliably investigating, predicting and modeling the characteristics of the deep geological environment and verifying the models of the geological environment. The reliability of the investigation techniques used and resultant data quality will be studied. It is expected that the techniques developed during the project will provide the technical basis for a variety of investigations.

To acquire data on the deep geological environment

The second goal is to acquire high-quality data on the deep geological environment. These data, which will be backed up with results of geoscientific studies both in Japan and abroad, will be used to improve the reliability of conceptual models of the deep geological environment in Japan. They will also be used to evaluate engineering methods and equipment for later Phases of underground construction and operations. The integrated dataset produced, which will include relevant results of geoscientific studies performed abroad, will provide a basis for other parts of the R&D program for geological disposal in Japan.

To develop a range of engineering techniques for deep underground application

The third goal is to evaluate techniques for design and construction of large-scale underground facilities and to clarify the potential long-term effects of these techniques on the geological environment (eg. Possible interactions between construction materials and groundwater/bedrock, etc.). Studies will also be carried out on infrastructures for managing safety and the opening environment in such underground facilities.

The goals of Phase I are as follows.²⁾:

To acquire data on the undisturbed geological environment with surface-based investigation methods and to predict the characteristics of the geological environment and the effects of construction of underground facilities

These data will be used to construct geological, hydrogeological and hydrochemical models for predicting both the geological properties which will be encountered and the effects of construction in the next Phases.

To establish methodologies for evaluating predictions

Criteria and detailed methodologies will be specified for checking the plausibility of predictions made in this Phase by comparison with the data obtained in the subsequent construction Phase.

To formulate detailed design concepts for underground facilities and to establish detailed plans of the construction Phase

Based on the data obtained in this Phase, as well as on modeling results, a detailed design concept for the underground facilities will be formulated and detailed investigation plans will be established for the construction Phase.

The goals and of the Phase I are set to achieve the goals and of the entire MIU Project. In the same way, the goal of the Phase I is set to achieve the goal of the entire MIU Project.