The remediated Cluff Lake site
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has approved Orano Canada’s application to revoke the mine and mill operating licence for the Cluff Lake project, allowing the site to be transferred to the province of Saskatchewan.
The Cluff Lake mine produced 62-million pounds of uranium concentrate during its operation from 1979 to 2002. The operation consisted of two underground mines, four openpit mines, a tailings management facility, a mill and other support facilities.
The site is fully decommissioned with open access to the public since 2013.
“The best demonstration of responsible mining is the remediation management. The decision of the CNSC is the recognition of Orano’s expertise in sustainable mine closure which is part of our DNA/commitment,” said Orano Mining president Nicolas Maes.
“I am grateful to our dedicated staff for their commitment to this project and their work to ensure that the land is available for local traditional use. We are also appreciative of the Indigenous, Métis and other community members who shared their knowledge of the lands. We have many employees who remember the days of working at Cluff Lake and we celebrate the successful decommissioning of the project. Work will continue with the province to transfer the property into the Institutional Control Programme,” said Orano Canada’s president and CEO Jim Corman.