News Releases

CNSC Announces Decision to Renew AREVA Resources Canada Inc.’s Uranium Mine Operating Licence for the McClean Lake Operation and to Revoke Midwest Uranium Site Preparation Licence

09-15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2009

Following a two day public hearing, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to renew AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (AREVA) Uranium Mine Operating Licence for the McClean Lake Operation located in Northern Saskatchewan, for a period of eight years.The licence will be valid from July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2017. The Commission also decided to revoke AREVA’s Midwest Uranium Site Preparation Licence and to include it in McClean Lake licence.

The Commission, in making its decision, considered information presented for a public hearing held on February 18, 2009 and on April 30, 2009 in Ottawa, Ontario. During the public hearing, the Commission received and considered CNSC staff recommendations, AREVA’s submissions and oral and written submissions from six intervenors. The decision was delayed to allow the Commission to consider additional submissions received after April 30, 2009.

The Commission is satisfied that the licensee meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The Commission concludes that AREVA is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the renewed 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 Commission includes in the renewed licence a condition for the maintenance and caretaking activities at the Midwest site.With this decision, the Commission requests that AREVA prepare a status report on the safety performance of its facility following the midpoint of the eight-year licence term. The Commission also requests that CNSC staff prepare a report on the compliance activities and licensee's performance during that period. The reports should be presented at a public proceeding of the Commission in approximately June 2013.

A Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decisionand transcripts of the hearing are available on the CNSC Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC. The webcast of the hearing is also 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:
Sophie Gingras
Commission Secretariat 
613-947-0247
1-800-668-5284 
interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca