News Releases

CNSC Announces Decision to Renew Cameco’s Waste Facility Operating Licence for the Beaverlodge Mine and Mill Site in Northern Saskatchewan

09-27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2009

Following a one-day public hearing, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to renew, for a period of three years, Cameco Corporation’s (Cameco) Waste Facility Operating Licence.The renewed licence will be valid from December 1, 2009 until November 30, 2012.

The Commission in making its decision, considered information presented at a public hearing held in Ottawa, Ontario on February 18, 2009 and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on November 5, 2009. The public hearing was adjourned in February to allow Cameco to provide additional information requested by the Commission. During the public hearing, the Commission received written submissions and heard oral presentations from CNSC staff and Cameco. The Commission also considered oral and written submissions from six intervenors.

The Commission concluded that the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) for an environmental assessment for the Beaverlodge site licence renewal have been fulfilled.

The Commission is also satisfied that the licensee meets the requirements of section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The Commission concluded that Cameco is qualified to carry out the activities that will be permitted under the renewed licences 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.

With this decision, the Commission requests that Cameco prepare an annual status report on the remediation performance at the Beaverlodge facility. The Commission also requests that CNSC staff prepare a report on the results of compliance activities carried out and on the licensee's performance during that period. These reports will be presented at a public proceeding of the Commission, approximately in the last quarter of each year of the licence’s duration.

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. 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 archived on the same site for a period of 90 days.

The 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.

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