Monthly Community Update
June 2010
McClean Lake
Until the scheduled suspension of production at the McClean Lake mill, stockpiled ore continues to be processed to reach an estimated production of 1,860,000 lbs U3O8 by the end of July 2010. Unfortunately, the suspension of activities at the mill is resulting in the lay-off of approximately 120 McClean Lake employees and 20 Saskatoon employees.
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission were on site May 11-13 for an inspection. There were 7 recommendations that were issued. During the week of May 24, ore from the experimental MED project was added to the ore feed blend. The last of the SUE E high grade ore was processed and the mill is currently processing both SUE A and B stockpiled low grade ore. Some of the equipment is slowly being moved offline and cleaned in anticipation of the mill shutdown, which is scheduled to occur in July. The Long Service Awards for our McClean Lake employees were held on June 2 and 9. There were 36 employees who received awards this year. There have been no spills since the last issue.
AREVA Resources' network of policies, procedures and monitoring programs ensures that emissions from mining and processing remain as low as reasonably achievable. The graphs below show the differences between the regulatory limits and the sampling results from water released to the environment at the water treatment plant at McClean Lake. The bars at the bottom of each graph show the concentrations of elements in water from our treatment plant. The lines across the top show the regulatory limits. It is clear from these graphs that the concentrations of elements in our waste water are well below the regulatory limits.
For a closer look at the graphs, click here.
McArthur River Ore Haul Project Proposal
In November 2009 AREVA filed an application with the Province of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to receive and process ore from McArthur River at the McClean Lake Operation. This would involve transporting uranium ore slurry from McArthur River to the McClean Lake Operation in similar containers to those currently being used between McArthur River and Key Lake. This would be for approximately three years only, and would involve no more than 2 loaded and 2 empty returning trucks a day for 300 days in each of the 3 years of operation. We are continuing with the environmental assessment and regulatory approval process for this project.
The draft Project Specific Guidelines will be available for public comment from the period of June 25th to July 27th, 2010. This is an opportunity for anyone to provide comments on the Project Specific Guidelines. The information can be accessed at www.environment.gov.sk.ca (Programs and Services/Environmental Assessment/Notices/Section 10/2010-007).
We will continue to meet with those who are interested in the project. AREVA will be conducting public open houses and meetings during September and October 2010. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please send an email tomcarthurtomcclean@areva.ca or contact Carolanne Inglis-McQuay at 306-343-4555 or Carolanne.inglis-mcquay@areva.ca.
Caribou Project
On April 26, 2010 AREVA received environmental assessment approval for the Caribou open pit mine at the McClean Lake site from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This follows the environmental assessment approval received from the Province of Saskatchewan on July 21, 2009. Although AREVA is not proceeding with the licensing approvals for development of the Caribou project at this time, we will be in a position to do so in the future, when we are ready to develop the mine.
Midwest Project
The revised draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Midwest Mine Project was submitted on February 26th. The government agencies have reviewed AREVA’s responses to comments and have forwarded further comments to AREVA. AREVA will now review and respond to these comments with a further revision to the EIS for submission. Additionally AREVA is participating with the Federal and Provincial governments in meetings with Aboriginal leadership to present information on the Midwest Project EIS and obtain any feedback, comments or concerns on potential effects to traditional land use or Aboriginal and Treaty rights. During the Environmental Assessment process for the Midwest Mine Project, the site remains in a care and maintenance mode. The McClean Lake site employees continue to be responsible for conducting the care and maintenance activities.
Cluff Lake Site
Routine maintenance and environmental monitoring activities continue at Cluff Lake. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (SMOE) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission were on site for an inspection May 13. Hydro-seeding of the earth work repaired areas on the Tailings Management Area south diversion ditch have begun. The National Pollutant Release Inventory Report is complete and was submitted to the regulators. The Long Service Awards celebration was held on site June 2nd. There were 3 employees who received awards this year.
The application to renew the Cluff Lake Approval to Operate a Pollutant Control Facility has been submitted to the SMOE and we are awaiting the licensing decision. The previous approval expired August 31, 2009, but was extended to improve the review and provide an opportunity to meet with the public. There has been no reportable spill at Cluff Lake since September 28, 2004.
Human Resources
Donations and Sponsorships
We are pleased to have been able to help the following organizations in the month of February 2010.
- Northern Lights School Division – Support for Parents of Graduating Students
- La Ronge Children’s Festival
- Pinehouse Inter-agency Group – Elders Gathering
- Opawikoscikan Community School – Grade 8 class trip
- Keewatin Yathé Regional Health Authority – Bicycle Safety Training
- Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation – Memorial Golf Tournament
- Lac La Ronge Indian Band – Northern Star Festival
- Fond du Lac First Nation – Grade 12 Graduation
- Lac La Ronge Indian Band – Health Services Staff Retreat
- Chesterfield Inlet 30th Anniversary Feast
- Whale Cove Fishing Derby
- Chesterfield Inlet Fishing Derby
- Rainbow Dog Trotters
- Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association
- Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
- Osteoporosis Canada
- Saskatoon Transportation Club
- Young Athlete Saskatchewan
- Mount Royal Collegiate
- University of Saskatchewan – College of Engineering
- Waweyekisik Education Centre
- University of Saskatchewan – Aboriginal Students’ Centre
- Back to Batoche Celebrations – Bull Riding and Chuck Wagon races
- Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry – North America Prairie Northern Regional Chapter
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