Ferric sulphate production at McClean Lake

Environment assessment (EA) start date: February 8, 2006
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 06-01-17277
Proponent: AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (formerly COGEMA Resources Inc.)
Location: McClean Lake, Saskatchewan

Latest update

• October 25, 2006 - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announces decision on proposed ferric sulphate production at McClean Lake Project

Project description

The McClean Lake operation is a licensed mine and mill located in northern Saskatchewan. Ferric sulphate is used in the mill to remove dissolved arsenic in the tailings' pore water prior to discharge to the tailings management facility, and in the treatment of effluent prior to discharge from water treatment plants. It is expected that the demand for ferric sulphate at the McClean Lake operation will increase significantly as new ores (e.g. from Cigar Lake, Sue E, Sue A) are processed.

COGEMA Resources Inc. has proposed to produce liquid ferric sulphate at McClean Lake from iron ore imported to site, which would replace the current practice of purchasing ferric sulphate commercially and transporting it to the mine site.

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.

Further information

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

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