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Uranium in Saskatchewan

Environmental Protection 2007

The Saskatchewan uranium mining industry is committed to responsible environmental stewardship. The industry directly employs 75 people whose full-time responsibility is to ensure that all operations meet strict environmental standards set out by both the federal and provincial governments. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, comprehensive sampling, monitoring and assessment programs are in operation to ensure that the physical environment is protected. All sites are subject to compliance-based monitoring; water and air emissions from the mine and mill are tested on a regular basis to ensure that contaminants, if any, remain within regulatory limits. The industry also performs environmental monitoring to ensure that plants, animals and fish in the surrounding area are not adversely affected. Cumulative effects monitoring, conducted by Saskatchewan Environment, samples the ecosystem near the mine sites and farther away to monitor impacts.

The industry's long-term goal is to return all operations, as closely as possible, to a natural state suitable for future uses. All uranium mine site operators must post bonds with the federal government to ensure adequate funds are available for proper decommissioning of each site after the reserves have been mined out.

The uranium operations companies are already working towards this long term goal. In 2007, approximately $4.8 million was spent on reclamation.

ISO 14001 Certification

ISO 14001 is a voluntary international set of standards, recognized in more than 90 countries for maintaining an effective environmental management system through which a company can demonstrate its commitment to sound environmental performance, pollution prevention and continual improvement. It establishes a permanent framework to assist companies in reaching their environmental protection goals. The ISO framework calls for regular independent audits and for re-certification every three years.

Four Saskatchewan uranium operations are currently ISO 14001 certified: McClean Lake (2001), Key Lake (2003), McArthur River (2003), and Cluff Lake (2004). In addition, AREVA Resources' Saskatchewan uranium exploration activities were certified for ISO 14001 in 2004. This certification further demonstrates the commitment Saskatchewan uranium mining companies have toward the environment.