News Releases

CNSC Exempts from Licensing Five Decommissioned Satellite Mine Sites at the Beaverlodge Site in Northern Saskatchewan

09-08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2009

Following a public hearing held on February 18, 2009 in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to exempt from licensing five decommissioned satellite mine sites at the Beaverlodge Mine and Mill Site. The five exempted sites will be released into the Saskatchewan’s Institutional Control Program.

During the public hearing, the Commission received and considered CNSC staff recommendations and the submissions from Cameco Corporation (Cameco), as the licensee of the site,and five intervenors.

The Commission did not make a decision on Cameco’s application to renew its licence. The Commission adjourns the hearing to the fall 2009. Cameco has to provide, for the Commission’s consideration, a complete synthesis report with details on long-term activities for the requested three-year term licence. The specific date for the continuation of the hearingwill be announced later.

In order to consider the licence renewal application at a later date, the Commission extends Cameco’s licence until November 30, 2009. The Commission is satisfied that the licensee meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act for the purpose of the licence extension.The Commission concludes that Cameco is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the extended licence and that it will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, the health and safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.

The Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision, is available upon request to the Commission Secretariat. It will be available, in both official languages, on the CNSC Web site at a later date. The transcript of the hearing is available on the CNSC Web site. The webcast is archived on the same site for a period of 90 days.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Contact:
Pascale Bourassa
Commission Secretariat
613-947-0247
1-800-668-5284 
interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca