AREVA > Home > Publications > Community Updates > Community Update December 2005

Community Updates

McClean Lake and Cluff Lake Projects

December 16, 2005

McClean Lake

Work is progressing on the expansion of the JEB mill to receive and process Cigar Lake ore to produce up to 12 million pounds U₃O₈. The mill will begin processing Cigar Lake ore in 2007.

Mining of the Sue A open pit is continuing. The ore zone has been reached. The Sue A pit floor is now below the water level of the adjacent Sue C pit. Sue A is protected by a sandstone "pillar" that is left in place. Eventually, the pit floor will be about 35 metres below the Sue C water level.

Sue E open pit mining is now underway. McClean Lake's CNSC operating licence has been amended to include mining and milling of Sue E ore. Some of the weather-sensitive surface preparation work, such as clearing and stripping top soil, has already been completed.

McClean has not had a spill since the last Community Update. The concentrations of elements contained in the water discharges during November were well below the limits set by the regulatory agencies.

Cluff Lake

Cluff Lake's 2-year decommissioning program that began in August 2004 is almost complete. Most of the Claude pit backfilling is completed with most of the area now planted with trees. The final tailings management area grading was completed once the frost set in because the ground had been too wet for the equipment.

The Cluff Lake site offices are now located at the camp. The mill has been completely demolished and the area covered with soil.

Cluff Lake has not had a spill 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.

New Publications

COGEMA Resources' latest publications, "Looking Forward - 2005 Annual Review" and the November "Communiqué," are available for anyone who wants copies. If you would like copies or would like to be on our mailing list, please call toll-free 1-888-9COGEMA. These and other publications can also be viewed on this web site (in the Publications section).

Human Resources