PROFILES IN ACHIEVEMENT
The Cluff Lake mine produced uranium and gold for 22 years. It has since been decommissioned.
Orano Canada Inc. (formerly AREVA Resources Canada) has been exploring for uranium, developing uranium mines and producing uranium concentrate in Canada for more than 55 years.
The Company
Orano operates the McClean Lake mill, which processes uranium ore from the high-grade Cigar Lake mine and is a partner in the McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill.
Orano owns and maintains the now decommissioned and reclaimed Cluff Lake mine site.
The Achievement
The Cluff Lake mine in northwest Saskatchewan opened in 1980 and for 22 years produced more than 62 million pounds of uranium concentrate. It also produced gold in the late 1980s.
At its peak, Cluff Lake employed more than 300 people and provided extensive training and business opportunities for residents of northern Saskatchewan.
Planning for the closure and decommissioning of the mine was considered as part of Cluff Lake’s initial design and operation. Following detailed planning and a full environmental assessment, demolition of facilities and major earth works were conducted between 2004-06. Unrestricted public access to the site was restored in 2013.
Ongoing environmental monitoring shows the decommissioning was successful. Water quality meets its objectives and radiation levels are well within the regional background range. As well, fish, animals and plants harvested on site have been deemed safe for consumption. The area is open for access and traditional use.
More than 650,000 trees have since been planted in the area.
Orano has applied to transfer control of the site to the provincial government under Saskatchewan’s Institutional Control Program.
Orano will provide funds for the long-term monitoring and maintenance of the site and an assurance fund to cover costs related to unexpected events.
The Team
Many Orano employees and contractors worked at this site over the years, including engineers, geoscientists and environmental scientists. The current project manager is Tina Searcy, Regulatory and Environmental Science Manager at Orano Canada.