Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Saskatchewan
Expansion of Key Lake Mill and McArthur River Uranium Mine production capacity
Start date: January 7, 2003
Type: Screening
FEAI reference number: 36971
Proponent: Cameco Corporation
Location: Key Lake and Waterbury Lake, Saskatchewan
Latest Update
Project Description
Cameco Corporation has applied to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for permission to increase production at its Key Lake Uranium Mill and McArthur River Uranium Mine facilities. The licences at both facilities contain specific conditions that limit production of uranium to 7.2 million kilograms of uranium per year. Cameco proposes to increase production to 8.5 million kilograms per year, an 18% increase over its licensed authorization.
Increased production at McArthur River would require changes to its infrastructure to accommodate expected impacts, such as the generation of more waste rock, mineralized waste, and minewater flows. At Key Lake, the proposed production increase and changes to infrastructure would result in more tailings and treated effluent to manage. The mill circuits would require only minor alterations.
Before the Commission can consider a NSCA licensing decision regarding Cameco Corporation’s proposal, an environmental assessment (EA) must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an EA is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.
Further Information
CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its Environmental Assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request from:
Nicole Frigault
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax : 613-995-5086
Email : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
