Saskatchewan

The Midwest Project: Mining and milling

Start date: March 2, 2006
Type: Comprehensive study
CEAR reference number: 06-03-17519
Proponent: AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (formerly COGEMA Resources Inc.)
Location: McClean Lake, Saskatchewan

Latest Update

• View project milestones for the Midwest project.
• December 8, 2009 - Project Agreement for the Midwest Uranium Mining and Milling Project in Saskatchewan (source: MWMO web site)
• October 22, 2007 - Midwest Uranium Mine Project - Environmental Assessment to Continue as a Comprehensive Study (external link)
• April 12, 2007 - Public Hearing on the Scoping Document
• March 29, 2007 - Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Participant Funding Program (CEAA website)
• February 9, 2007 - Notice of Public Hearing on the Scoping Document
• January 5, 2007 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Scoping Document - Comment Period Closed
• December 1, 2006 – Public Comment Invited on the Draft Project-Specific Guidelines and Scoping Document for the Proposed Midwest Uranium Mine Development Project

Project Description

The Midwest Project involves the mining and milling of a uranium deposit located near the eastern margin of the Athabasca basin in northern Saskatchewan; about 15 km west of the JEB mill at the McClean Lake Operation.

COGEMA has proposed to extend the mining and milling activities at the McClean Lake Operation to include the Midwest Project. The project includes the following components:

• development of the Midwest ore deposit as an open pit mine;
• development of a dedicated haul road linking the Midwest development with the existing McClean Lake Operation; and
• increasing the production capacity of the JEB mill to accommodate the planned rate for milling of the Midwest ore.

Before the Commission makes its decision on the proposal, an environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The purpose of an environmental assessment 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.

Steps Ahead:

If directed by the Minister of the Environment to refer the assessment back to CNSC as a Comprehensive Study:

• Completion of an environmental impact statement
• Development of a comprehensive study report
• Public consultation on the comprehensive study report
• Minister's decision

Further Information

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of the proposed project, please contact:

Kiza Francis
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: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

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

Peter Courtney
Project Officer
Uranium Mines and Mills Division
Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
101 22nd Street E., Suite 520
Saskatoon, SK
S7K 0E1

Telephone: 306-975-6362
Fax: 306-975-6387
Email: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.