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Public Support
Community
Reaching Out to Residents
Experiencing Northern Culture
Northern Saskatchewan Scholarship Program

Ongoing communication is crucial for maintaining public support, something closely linked to awareness of our industry and activities.

Click graphs to enlarge

Showing Support

Specific Concerns

Environmental Concerns/
Nuclear Reactor

Value Added

We are pleased that public support for uranium mining in Saskatchewan is strong, and has remained so over 15 years of independent public opinion surveying in the province. The industry, including AREVA Resources Canada, knows that we must continue to earn this support.

A poll taken in May 2007 measured public opinion in Saskatchewan. The results have remained consistent for the past several years: Saskatchewan residents in general support uranium mining and consideration of related value-added developments.

Showing Support
The large majority of Saskatchewan residents (80%) support uranium mining in the province.

Despite their individual views and high support, only about half (55%) of Saskatchewan residents think that the majority of people in the province support uranium mining. This underestimation of general support is also typical of people’s perceptions in other countries.

This high level of support does not mean that residents are unconcerned about the environmental impact of the industry. People do think about issues concerning the environment, waste management, safety and health. Continuing public support, therefore, appears to be closely linked to the industry continuing to operate in a responsible manner. Public support is clearly something the industry cannot take for granted and must continue to earn.

Specific Concerns
70% of residents do not have specific concerns about uranium mining operations in northern Saskatchewan; 13% mention concerns with uranium mining and the environment; 5% state health and safety concerns; and 4% are concerned with waste management.

Environmental Concerns
Public support does come with conditions and expectations to keep our environment safe. Although supportive of uranium mining in Saskatchewan, when asked directly if they are concerned with the environmental impact of the uranium mining industry, 67% suggest they are at least somewhat concerned.

Nuclear Reactor
67% think the province should consider building a nuclear reactor to generate electricity.

Value Added
84% of Saskatchewan residents are in favour of uranium value-added activities, such as processing uranium for use in nuclear reactors to generate electricity, in Saskatchewan.

As a key player in the uranium mining industry, AREVA Resources Canada has a big impact on the quality of life in Saskatchewan's north. In addition to being a major employer, we provide business opportunities for northern contractors and suppliers, and are a source of funding and support for community-based initiatives.

A vital part of our commitment is engaging with people in northern communities. The annual joint AREVA Resources Canada/Cameco Northern Public Consultations tour, for example, gives residents an overview of the uranium industry in the north while providing a forum for their questions. In 2005, there was a significant increase in attendance in each of the 12 northern communities visited on the tour. The increase was the result of a fresh, new approach that saw the consultations evolve into community events. Company representatives arrived in most communities in time for lunch with the local leadership and perhaps a presentation at the local school. In the evening, everyone gathered for a meal prepared and hosted by the community. Local entertainment ranged from traditional hand games to square dancing. AREVA Resources Canada and Cameco provided free fishing lures to those attending. Overall, the new approach is an excellent fit with northern culture and the close, sociable nature of northern communities.

In March 2005, representatives from AREVA Resources Canada and Cameco were invited to join a traditional Athabasca Dene caribou hunt as observers. The trip was arranged by the Chief of the Black Lake First Nation to show mining company representatives the Athabasca Dene way of life. The small party flew to Black Lake, one of the most northern communities in Saskatchewan. Over the next few days, Barry McCallum, from AREVA Resources Canada, gained a better understanding of the Athabasca Dene culture, as well as the continuing importance of the caribou hunt to northern communities.

AREVA Resources Canada believes in the value of higher education. Every year, we award scholarships to northerners to assist them in achieving their educational goals. We also manage funding provided by a former contractor company.

We are pleased to introduce the following scholarship recipients for the 2007-2008 school year.

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