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Open pit mining of the JEB ore body began in 1995. Once the ore was removed and stockpiled, the JEB pit was developed as a tailings management facility (TMF). Open pit mining of the Sue ore bodies is in progress, leaving the McClean ore body for underground mining in the next decade. These mining projects, combined with the nearby Midwest deposit, are expected to operate for about 16 years.

The JEB mill has an initial design capacity of 6 million pounds U₃O₈ annually. This will be expanded to 12 million pounds U₃O₈ to process ore from the Cigar lake project when it is approved.

The mill design philosophy involved health, safety and environmental protection for the short and long term. For example, the plant buildings have been grouped according to the industrial risks to reduce exposure. The mill tailings are thickened and deposited under water to control contaminant release, radioactive emissions and dust.

During decommissioning, the JEB TMF will be completely back filled with waste rock, capped with till material and re-vegetated. Following decommissioning, monitoring will continue to confirm satisfactory performance for long term isolation and containment of the tailings.

McClean's workforce (more than 50% northerners) comprises about 255 AREVA employees and 50 long-term contractors. Workers are flown in from their home communities. AREVA staff are on a 7 day in - 7 day out schedule.