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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 9, 2003

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Strike Threat Idles McClean Lake Mine

COGEMA Resources Inc. has idled the McClean Lake uranium mill in response to a strike threat by members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, Local 48-S.

On June 6, 57% of union members at McClean Lake and Cluff Lake rejected a contract offer based on an agreement reached between COGEMA Resources and the union's negotiating committee. The union issued strike notice on June 6 and is in a legal position to walk out at 2 p.m. today. After receiving strike notice, COGEMA Resources responded with lockout notice.

On Friday, the company offered to fly the union members home from the mine site and to pay them during the 72-hour notice period. The members accepted the offer.

Non-union personnel at the mine are winding down operations and will maintain essential services while the facility is on standby. COGEMA Resources has sufficient inventory to meet sales commitments into next year.

The Cluff Lake mine is presently in a care and maintenance mode awaiting decommissioning approvals.

The offer rejected by union members on June 6 provided a 10.5% increase over three years retroactive to June 2002, as well as improvements to employee benefits. It is the second agreement negotiated between the company and the union negotiating committee that has been rejected by the union's membership.

COGEMA Resources is the operator and majority owner of uranium mining and milling facilities at McClean Lake, and is the owner and operator of the Cluff Lake mine. The company also operates the Midwest uranium project, and hold interests in the Cigar Lake, McArthur River and Key Lake operations.

COGEMA Resources is based in Saskatoon and employs about 200 staff and contractors at the McClean Lake mine, about half of whom are union members.

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