Rabbit Lake solution processing project

Environment assessment (EA) start date: February 8, 2005
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 05-01-9129
Proponent: Cameco Corporation and AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (AREVA Resources Canada Inc. was formerly COGEMA Resources Inc.)
Location: Rabbit Lake Mine/Mill, Saskatchewan

Latest update

• August 25, 2008 – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announces decision on proposed Rabbit Lake Solution Processing Project
• June 12, 2008 – Public hearing for EA screening report
• February 1, 2008 – Receipt of proponent's environmental impact statement
• October 14, 2005 – Request for public comment – Draft EA guidelines – Comment period closed
• September 9, 2005 – Request for public comment – Draft project-specific guidelines for the preparation of an environmental impact statement

Project description

The Rabbit Lake Solution Processing Project involves sending uranium-rich solution (URS) from Cogema Resources Inc.'s McClean Lake operation to Cameco Corporation's Rabbit Lake operation for further processing. Cameco also proposes to continue processing uranium from the ongoing conventional treatment of Rabbit Lake Eagle Point ore. The proposal includes minor modifications to the McClean Lake JEB mill to in order to load the URS for transport; and then also modifications to the Rabbit Lake mill in order to receive the URS. In addition, the proposed project will require a modification to the Rabbit Lake In-pit Tailings Management Facility pit crest, currently at the northern boundary of the facility, to provide sufficient capacity to effectively manage all of the processing-related waste materials associated with this proposal.

This proposal also includes the construction of a dedicated restricted-access haul road between the McClean Lake and Rabbit Lake sites. The URS solution will be transported over this dedicated haul road in specially designed and approved containers, similar to those approved for hauling ore slurry between Cameco's McArthur River mine and Key Lake mill.

Before the Commission makes its decision on the proposal, an EA must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an EA is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and to determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its EAs. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request.

Further information

Michael Rinker
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9

Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: EA@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment, and to implement Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.