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AREVA > Home > News
Releases > May
26, 2000
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:May
26, 2000
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATIONS FOR
NEW URANIUM MINES
COGEMA Resources Inc. of Saskatoon
announced today the upcoming grand opening celebrations for
two uranium mines in northern Saskatchewan. McClean Lake,
operated and majority owned by COGEMA Resources, is located
about 700 km. northeast of Saskatoon. The McArthur River mine,
30% owned by COGEMA Resources and operated by Cameco Corporation
of Saskatoon, is located about 650 km. northeast of Saskatoon.
The celebrations, held jointly with Cameco Corporation,
will include a gala banquet on Friday May 26 and tours of both mines
on Saturday and Sunday. Several hundred visitors from around the
world will participate. Included will be ambassadors from France
and Japan and representatives from the electrical utilities in Asia,
Europe and North America who purchase uranium concentrate produced
in Saskatchewan.
"These two projects represent almost a billion
dollars of investment in Saskatchewan," said Arnaud de Bourayne,
COGEMA Resources President and Chief Executive Officer. "They clearly
demonstrate the commitment of ourselves and our partners to Saskatchewan
and our confidence in the long-term future of this industry."
"Residents of northern Saskatchewan have and will
continue to benefit from these projects," said Tim Gitzel, Senior
Vice-President and Corporate Counsel. "Over half of the COGEMA Resources
and contractor employees at our mine sites are northerners. Almost
half of our expenditures for goods and services go to northern based
companies."
The McClean Lake uranium deposit was discovered
in 1979. The mill, constructed from 1995 to 1998, began operation
in June 1999. The first new uranium mill to be licensed in North
America in the past 15 years, it is the most innovated uranium mill
in the world. The mill is processing ore from the mined JEB open
pit mine and the nearby Sue pits. The mill is planned, subject to
future approvals, to handle ore from the Midwest and the Cigar Lake
Mines. COGEMA's partners in the McClean Lake project are Denison
Mines Limited (22.5%) and OURD (7.5%), a consortium of Japanese
utilities.
McArthur River has the largest known uranium deposit
in the world. Production began in December 1999. The ore body is
being mined using various non-entry methods and remote-controlled
equipment. The ore is being processed at the Key Lake mill, operated
by Cameco and 17% owned by COGEMA Resources.
Headquartered in Saskatoon, COGEMA Resources Inc.
operates mining and milling facilities at Cluff Lake in Northern
Saskatchewan, is operator and majority owner of the McClean Lake
and Midwest uranium projects, and part owner of the Cigar Lake,
McArthur River and Key Lake uranium projects. Of the company's employees
at the mine sites, more than 50% are from northern Saskatchewan.
For further information, please contact:
Tim Gitzel
Senior Vice-President & Corporate Counsel
COGEMA Resources Inc.
Phone: (306) 343-4501
Alun Richards email
Public Relations Specialist
COGEMA Resources Inc.
Phone: (306) 343-4637 or 1-888-9COGEMA (toll-free in Saskatchewan)
Web Site: www.cogema.ca
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