Issues at McClean Lake Mine - Saskatchewan, Canada
(last updated 16 Dec 2009)
> View McClean Lake mine and mill details
Environmental assessment started on receipt and processing of McArthur River ore at the McClean Lake mill
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a project description from AREVA to transport, receive and process high grade ore from McArthur River Mine at the McClean Lake Operation located in northern Saskatchewan.
No construction activities are associated with this project.
CNSC authorization is required for AREVA to receive and process high grade ore from McArthur River at the McClean Lake site. This requires an amendment to AREVA's Uranium Mine Construction Licence, pursuant to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA).
Before the Commission may consider a decision on licensing under the NSCA regarding Cameco's proposal, a screening level environmental assessment (EA) must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
(CNSC Mar. 5, 2010)
> View Receipt and Processing of McArthur River Ore at the McClean Lake Operation, Project 
(CNSC)
McClean Lake mill to be shut down in mid-2010
Areva Resources Canada Inc. announced plans Tuesday (Dec. 15) to shut down production at its McClean Lake uranium mill in northern Saskatchewan in July 2010.
A company spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon yellowcake production at the McClean Lake operation is being ceased because the mill will run out of ore to process by July.
The mill, which has been in operation since 1999, was designed to handle high-grade ore from the nearby Cameco Corp.-operated Cigar Lake project. Cigar Lake, which is 37 per cent-owned by Areva, was set to enter production earlier this decade, but was set back by flooding in 2006 and 2008.
Although the dewatering process is continuing at the site, which is the world's largest undeveloped high-grade uranium deposit, there is no indication of when production will begin at Cigar Lake. Additionally, mining operations at the McClean Lake mine all but ended in January.
Work on the nearby, joint-ventured Areva/Denison Mines Inc. Midwest and Caribou deposits, meanwhile, remains postponed due to market conditions.
Areva says the mill re-start date will depend on market conditions and the Cigar Lake mine schedule.
(The Star Phoenix Dec. 15, 2009)
Areva considers trucking ore from McArthur River mine to keep McClean Lake mill operating
Areva Resources Canada Inc. is considering trucking ore 920 kilometres from the McArthur River uranium mine to be processed at its McClean Lake mill.
The plan, which has not yet reached the proposal stage, would keep operations at Areva's 70 per cent owned McClean Lake facility going while it waits for ore from Cameco Corp.'s Cigar Lake deposit, said Areva spokesperson Alun Richards. Ore from McArthur River, which is 30.2 per cent owned by Areva, is milled at the nearby Key Lake facility.
Uranium mining at the McClean Lake operation ended in January, leaving the specialized facility without a nearby ore resource. The mill is set to process ore from Cigar Lake, in which it has a 31.7 per cent share -- a plan that has been delayed after flooding at the mine pushed operations back by several years.
At the moment, the plan is to ship about three million pounds of uranium ore slurry in special trucks and containers from McArthur to McClean until Cigar Lake comes on stream. According to Cameco, 13.1 million pounds of U3O8 [5038 t U] is set to be mined from McArthur River and Key Lake in 2009.
(The StarPhoenix Aug. 14, 2009)
Athabasca Regional Government challenges license renewal for McClean Lake mine and mill
The Athabasca Regional Government (ARG), which is comprised of three First Nations and four provincial communities from the Athabasca Basin, launched a judicial review of CNSC's decision to grant the McClean Lake operating licence. The ARG are challenging the legality of the new licence, primarily on the basis of issues related to the Federal and Provincial governments' duty to consult with Aboriginal people.
(Denison Mines Corp. Aug. 12, 2009)
McClean Lake mill faces temporary shutdown until Cigar Lake mine operable
Areva Resources Canada Inc. is on the hunt for new sources of uranium ore to be milled at its McClean Lake facility after mining operations at the site all but ended in January.
Ore from the Cigar Lake mine -- in which Areva has a 37 per cent share -- is set to travel to McClean Lake by road; however, there is no set date for when that ore will become available. In August 2008, water inundated the Cigar Lake mine while work was being done to dewater the site after a flood in 2006.
Flooding at the site pushed back production at the mine which, before the 2006 flood, was expected to come into production in 2007. After the incident last summer, Cameco officials said production may come onstream in 2011 at the earliest.
(The StarPhoenix June 18, 2009)
Following a two day public hearing (Feb. 18/Apr. 30, 2009 - date revised), the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced 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.
> Download Notice of Public Hearing, Dec. 18, 2008 (PDF)
> Download Revised Notice of Public Hearing, Feb. 13, 2009 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript Feb. 18, 2009 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript Apr. 30, 2009 (PDF)
> View CNSC release June 30, 2009
> Download Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision (PDF)
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) invites public comment on the Screening Report concerning the environmental assessment of the Caribou uranium mining project. The Screening Report is based on an Environmental Impact Statement prepared by AREVA Resources Canada Inc.
The public comment period ends on May 5, 2009.
> View Continuation of mining and milling at McClean Lake Operation: Development of Caribou deposit (CNSC)
> Download Request for Comment, April 2, 2009 (PDF - CNSC)
> View Public Participation Notice, April 1, 2009 (CEAA)
Areva halts mining of Caribou ore body at McClean Lake: Areva Resources Canada Inc. said on March 19, 2009, it has started issuing permanent layoff notices to employees at its McClean Lake property and its corporate office in Saskatoon. The company decided it is not economical to move forward with mining the Caribou deposit at McClean Lake, resulting in the dismissal of the employees, said Areva spokesperson Alun Richards.
The company will continue milling of stockpiled ore, though.
(Saskatoon Star Phoenix Mar. 20, 2009)
> Download Caribou Environmental Impact Statement, August 2008 (Areva Resources)
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), after holding a one-day hearing (October 31, 2007), approved the Environmental Assessment (EA) Guidelines regarding AREVA Resources Canada Inc.'s (AREVA) proposal to amend its existing licence for the McClean Lake Operation, located in McClean Lake, Saskatchewan, to include a new ore body known as the Caribou.
> Download Notice of Hearing Aug. 8, 2007 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript Oct. 31, 2007 (PDF)
> View CNSC release December 11, 2007
> Download Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision (PDF)
AREVA Resources Canada Inc. is proposing to mine the new Caribou ore body at their approved McClean Lake Uranium Development. AREVA proposes to mine Caribou as an open pit and utilize the existing JEB mill, JEB tailings management and water management facilities to process the ore and manage solid and liquid wastes.
> View Saskatchewan Environment EA notices
> Download Areva's Project Proposal, Dec. 2006 (17M PDF)
> Download Draft - Project Specific Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, July 2007 (PDF)
> Download Public Notice, July 28, 2007 (PDF)
> View CNSC: Environmental Assessment: Continuation of mining and milling at McClean Lake Operation: Development of Caribou deposit
> View CNSC Request for Public Input into the Draft Project-Specific Guidelines
Lower production estimates announced for McClean Lake mine
On May 16, 2007, Denison Mines Corp. announced that AREVA Resources Canada Inc., the operator of the McClean Lake Joint Venture has provided an updated estimate of 2007 production of 1.8 million pounds of U3O8 [692 t U], a reduction from the previously reported level of 2.2 million to 3 million pounds [846 - 1154 t U]. According to Denison, the reduction in estimated 2007 production is a result of delays in obtaining regulatory approval and implementing planned mill modifications to increase leaching capacity, later than expected completion of revisions to the tailings distribution system and the suspension of further jet boring drilling at the McClean North deposit.
"The McClean Lake Joint Venture produced 455,000 pounds of uranium [175 t U] during the three months ended September 30, 2006 compared with 1,532,000 pounds [589 t U] during the same period in 2005. [...] Production for the first nine months of the year has been well below our expectations due to lower grade ore feed, the absence of higher grade ore from the blind boring/jet boring operations, reduced throughput caused by variances in the arsenic concentration of the ore feed that resulted in elevated temperatures in the leach circuit and a shortage of reagents due to road closures caused by forest fires. [...] Average mill feed grade for the third quarter 2006 was 0.58% U3O8 compared to 1.73% U3O8 for the comparable 2005 period."
(Denison Nov. 9, 2006)
Following a hearing on October 25, 2006, in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its conclusion that AREVA's proposed project to install and operate a ferric sulphate production circuit at the McClean Lake Operation located in Northern Saskatchewan, taking into account identified mitigation measures, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The project involves the production of liquid ferric sulphate from iron ore transported to the McClean Lake site.
> Download Notice of Hearing, Oct. 20, 2006 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript, Environmental Assessment Screening, Oct. 25, 2006 (PDF)
> View CNSC release April 11, 2007
> Download Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision, Oct. 25, 2006 (PDF)
COGEMA Resources Inc. has proposed to produce liquid ferric sulphate (Fe2(SO4)3) at McClean Lake from iron ore imported to site, which would replace the current practice of purchasing ferric sulphate commercially and transporting it to the mine site. Ferric sulphate is used in the mill to remove dissolved arsenic in the tailings' pore water prior to discharge to the Tailings Management Facility, and in the treatment of effluent prior to discharge from water treatment plants. Before CNSC makes its decision on the proposal, an environmental assessment (EA) must be completed. The EA was started on Feb. 8, 2006.
CNSC held a closed (!) hearing on March 30, 2006.
On June 2, 2006, CNSC approved the guidelines for an environmental assessment.
> View CNSC Project Description
> Download Notice of Hearing, March 23, 2006 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript March 30, 2006 (PDF)
> View CNSC release June 2, 2006
> Download Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision, June 2, 2006 (PDF)
CNSC approves Cogéma's Mining Equipment Development (MED) Program at McClean Lake
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), after holding a one-day public hearing on March 30, 2006, approved an application by COGEMA Resources Inc. (COGEMA) to extend the scope of its Mining Equipment Development (MED) Program at the McClean Lake Uranium Mine and Mill Operation in Northern Saskatchewan.
> Download Notice of Public Hearing, Jan. 18, 2006 (PDF)
> Download Updated Hearing Agenda, March 23, 2006 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript March 30, 2006 (PDF)
> View CNSC release May 26, 2006
> Download Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision, May 26, 2006 (PDF)
Processing of McClean lake uranium-rich solutions at Rabbit Lake mill
> View details
CNSC approves expansion of the JEB Mill at McClean Lake to receive and process Cigar Lake ore
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), after holding a two-day public hearing (January 12, and April 6, 2005), approved an application by COGEMA Resources Inc. (COGEMA) for the renewal and amendment of the operating licence for COGEMA’s McClean Lake uranium mine and mill operation in Northern Saskatchewan. COGEMA has requested authorization to continue the currently permitted activities, and to make modifications to the JEB Mill at the McClean Lake Operation so that uranium ore slurry from Cameco Corporation’s Cigar Lake mine could be received and processed at the Mill.
> Download Notice of Public Hearing, Nov. 3, 2004 (PDF)
> Download Jan. 12, 2005 Hearing Transcript (PDF)
> Download Apr. 6, 2005 Hearing Transcript (revised) (PDF)
> View CNSC release May 19, 2005
> Download Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision, May 19, 2005 (PDF)
CNSC starts Environmental Assessment on expansion of the JEB Mill at McClean Lake to receive and process Cigar Lake ore
> View Environmental Assessment COGEMA Resources Inc / Cameco Corporation: Transfer of Cigar Lake Ore and JEB Mill Expansion (May 28, 2004) (CNSC)
CNSC approves mining license for McClean Lake - Sue E project
On Dec. 9, 2005, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), after holding a two-day public hearing (August 17 / October 19, 2005) approved an application by COGEMA Resources Inc. (COGEMA) to mine uranium at its Sue E site.
> Download Revised Notice of Public Hearing (Aug. 5, 2005) (PDF)
> Download EIS Summary (2.2M PDF - CRI)
> Download Hearing Transcript Aug. 17, 2005 (PDF)
> Download Hearing Transcript Oct. 19, 2005
(PDF)
> View CNSC release Dec. 9, 2005
> Download Record of Proceedings, including the Reasons for Decision Dec. 9, 2005 (PDF)
CNSC holds hearing on initial surface construction activities at McClean Lake - Sue E project
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), after holding a one-day public hearing (July 13, 2005), approved a proposal by COGEMA Resources Inc. (COGEMA) to carry out initial surface construction activities at its proposed Sue E uranium mine site.
> Download Notice of Public Hearing, April 20, 2005 (PDF)
> Download CNSC Hearing Transcript, July 13, 2005 (PDF)
> View CNSC release July 21, 2005
> Download Record of Proceedings, July 21, 2005 (PDF)
CNSC holds hearing on EA Screening of McClean Lake - Sue E project
Following a public hearing held on June 29, 2005, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced on July 12, 2005, its conclusion that COGEMA Resources Inc.’s (COGEMA) proposed Sue E Project, taking into account identified mitigation measures, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
> Download CNSC release Apr. 7, 2005 (PDF)
> Download CNSC Hearing Transcript, June 29, 2005 (PDF)
> View CNSC release July 12, 2005
> Download Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision, July 12, 2005 (PDF)
CNSC invites comment on screening report concerning environmental assessment of McClean Lake - Sue E project
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) invites public
comment on the Screening Report concerning the Environmental
Assessment of the McClean lake Operation: Sue E Project.
The public comment period closes on April 15, 2005.
> View CNSC release Mar. 18, 2005
Environmental Assessment on Sue E extension of McClean Lake uranium mine
On October 30, 2003, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) started the Environmental Assessment (EA) on COGEMA Resources Inc's Sue E Proposal.
The new Sue E orebody will be mined as an open pit operation. The Sue E ore will be milled at the JEB mill and the tailings disposed at the JEB Tailings Management Facility (TMF).
> View Environmental Assessment COGEMA Resources Inc: Sue E Proposal (CNSC)
On July 17, 2004, Saskatchewan Environment issued a public notice inviting public comment on the Draft Project-Specific Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.
> Download Public Notice (July 17, 2004) (PDF)
> Download Draft Project-Specific Guidelines for the Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (July 2004) (PDF)
> Download Sue E Project Description (Oct. 2003)
CNSC holds hearing on EA Guidelines for new license of McClean Lake mine
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) held a one-day public hearing (July 16, 2003) on the Environmental Assessment Guidelines (EA Guidelines) for the application by COGEMA Resources Inc. for a new operating licence for the McClean Lake Operation, located in northern Saskatchewan.
The draft EA Guidelines (scoping document) were made available to the public on May 30, 2003.
On Aug. 29, 2003, CNSC "announced its approval of the Environmental Assessment Guidelines (Scope of Project and Assessment) that will be used to direct a screening environmental assessment of a new operating licence for COGEMA Resources Inc.’s McClean Lake Operation, located in northern Saskatchewan.".
> View CNSC Release (Aug. 29, 2003)
> Download CNSC Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision (Aug. 29, 2003) (PDF)
> Download Transcript July 16, 2003 - COGEMA Resources Inc. - Environmental Assessment Guidelines for the Operation of the McClean Lake Mine and Mill Facility (PDF)
> Download Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines (May 30, 2003) (PDF)
> View CNSC information on Environmental Assessment - Operation of the McClean Lake Mine and Mill Project by COGEMA Resources Inc.
Disposal of Cigar Lake waste rock in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit
Saskatchewan Environment invites comment on EIS for the Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit
"Cameco Corporation (Cameco) and Cogema Resources Inc. (Cogema) are proposing to temporarily store waste rock at Cigar Lake, and using two haul campaigns, transport and dispose of the Cigar Lake waste rock in the mined-out SUE C pit at the McClean Lake uranium development. This proposal is a change to the existing environmental assessment approvals for both the Cigar Lake and McClean Lake Uranium Developments."
Public comment on the environmental impact statement and SE's Technical Review Comments is invited. Comments should be submitted by May 30, 2003.
> Download Saskatchewan Environment's Environmental Impact Assessment Notice (May 8, 2003) (PDF)
> View CNSC information on Environmental Assessment - Cigar Lake Waste Rock Disposal in Sue C pit
CNSC holds hearing on Environmental Assessment Screening Report for the Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility's Sue C pit
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) held a one-day public hearing (June 25, 2003) to consider the Environmental Assessment Screening Report (EA Screening Report) for the Cigar Lake waste rock disposal in the McClean Lake mining facility’s Sue C pit.
The EA Screening Report was made available to the public on May 9, 2003.
On Aug. 29, 2003, the CNSC "concluded that the project, taking into account the appropriate mitigation measures, is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects".
> View CNSC Release (Aug. 29, 2003)
> Download CNSC Record of Proceedings, including the Reasons for Decision (Aug. 29, 2003) (PDF)
> Download CNSC Hearing Transcript (PDF)
> See also: CNSC announces hearing on Environmental Assessment Guidelines for the proposed construction of the Cigar Lake uranium mine
Court quashes McClean Lake operating license
> View McClean Lake Uranium Mining Project Court Case details
New uranium mineralization found at McClean Lake
New unconformity related uranium mineralization was discovered in the Athabasca sandstone. Approximately 20 diamond drill holes have tested structural and geological targets in the Caribou Lake area, approximately two kilometres northwest of the Sue C open pit.
(Denison release April 12, 2002)
McClean Lake mining suspended after Sue C mining completed
"COGEMA Resources will suspend mining at its McClean Lake operation after completion of the Sue C mine.
Vincent Martin, senior vice-president and chief operating officer, says that by the end of 2001, the company will have enough ore stockpiled to feed the mill for four to five years. [...]
And while the mining at McClean Lake is expected to be complete within the next few years, the mill is expected to continue to run another 40 years with ore from the Cigar and Midwest projects."
(COGEMA Res. Communiqué Dec. 2001)
Mining of the Sue C pit was completed on February 3, 2002 with all of the ore stockpiled for feeding the mill into 2006. (Denison, March 6, 2002)
CNSC renews Operating Licence for McClean Lake Mine
On Aug. 9, 2001, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) approved the renewal of the operating licence for COGEMA Resources Inc.'s McClean Lake Operation, with an increased production limit of 3629.3 t of U3O8 per year (33% up from 2722 t/a).
> View CNSC release Aug. 31, 2001
> Download Record of Proceedings, Including Reasons for Decision (Aug. 30, 2001) (PDF)
> Download Transcript of May 29, 2001 hearing (PDF)
> Download Transcript of June 28, 2001 hearing (PDF)
> Download Transcript of August 9, 2001 hearing (PDF)
> see also older McClean Lake issues