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Community Updates

McClean Lake and Cluff Lake Projects

December 18, 2000

McCLEAN LAKE

Mining operations shut down for the Xmas break on December 8 and will recommence on January 5, 2001. Milling operations were shut down on November 7 and will restart on January 2, 2001. During the shut down period, maintenance work is taking place at both the mine and mill. The water treatment plants will be fully staffed and under normal operation. Monitoring for environmental protection, radiation protection and safety obligations are also continuing during this period.

COGEMA Resources has received confirmation that the Environmental Management System at the McClean Lake operation has been registered to the ISO 14001 standard. This standard applies to the mine, mill and support services facilities. McClean is the first uranium mine in Canada and the first mine in Saskatchewan to attain this coveted standard that is recognized around the world. The ISO 14001 Registration is an international set of standards that guides companies towards implementing and maintaining an effective environmental management system. The registration involved extensive work by McClean staff, in particular the environment and quality departments. By defining the elements necessary to effectively manage its impact on the environment, COGEMA Resources through McClean Lake is leading the industry in environmental responsibility.

There have been no spills since the last Community Update. The concentrations of elements contained in the water discharges from the treatment plants during November were well below the limits set by the regulatory agencies.

CLUFF LAKE

The mine is on reduced capacity (one crew per shift) for the holiday season until January 8, 2001. The mill will shut down December 21 and will restart on January 8.

There have been no spills since the last Community Update. Concentrations of elements contained in the water discharges from the treatment plant during November were well below the limits set by the regulatory agencies.

HUMAN RESOURCES

COGEMA RESOURCES SUPPORTS THE NEW LA LOCHE HEALTH CENTRE

COGEMA Resources presented the first installment of a $100,000 total donation towards the equipment and furnishings of the new La Loche Health Centre on November 21, 2000. The 3,400 m2 integrated health centre is scheduled to open its doors on June 1, 2001. It will house community based and acute care services, addiction detoxification, a medical clinic and long-term care to accommodate the aging population.

NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN MIGRATION SURVEY

The Community Vitality Process, in which COGEMA Resources is involved, recently completed a survey on northern migration, particularly outmigration. The survey determined reasons for migration in and out of northern Saskatchewan and provided recommendations to agencies of changes that may improve the quality of life for northern residents. Education and employment opportunities were the main reasons for moving south.

Attached is the Executive Summary of the report. Copies of the survey will soon be available from COGEMA Resources (see below), Cameco, Cigar Lake Mining Corporation and the Northern Mines Monitoring Secretariat.

Community Vitality Monitoring Partnership Process

NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN MIGRATION STUDY

Executive Summary

This Anderson/Fast poll was conducted by Keewatin Career Development Corporation interviewers in person between April and July 2000 among a representative cross section of 170 Northern Saskatchewan residents who had migrated out of the north (some had returned). The following are the main conclusions and recommendations.

• The majority of those residents currently living in the south lived in Northern Saskatchewan for more than 20 years and have been living in the south for more than five years.
• The majority of those residents who moved back to live in Northern Saskatchewan moved back within the last five years; more than one third moved back because they found employment in the North.
• Primary reasons Northern residents give for moving out of the north include education opportunities, employment opportunities and family reasons.
• Northern residents indicate employment and education opportunities as things that would have made them continue living in the north.
• The research suggests that many northern residents have a strong sense of home in Northern Saskatchewan and would like the opportunity to stay at least close to home where they have a strong support system in place.
• Important things that communities, provincial and federal governments and industries in Northern Saskatchewan could do to make people reconsider moving out of the north include providing more employment and education opportunities and lowering the cost of living in Northern Saskatchewan.

Should you have any questions with the Community Update, please contact our La Ronge office (phone 425-6880) or our Saskatoon office (phone toll-free 1-888-9COGEMA) or check our web site at www.cri.ca.