Commission renews Cameco Corporation’s licences for the Key Lake Operation, McArthur River Operation and Rabbit Lake Operation

October 25, 2023 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew the mine and/or mill operating licences held by Cameco Corporation (Cameco) for the Key Lake Operation, McArthur River Operation and Rabbit Lake Operation. The Commission has renewed the licences as follows:

    Key Lake Operation – uranium mill licence renewed for 20 years

    McArthur River Operation – uranium mine licence renewed for 20 years

    Rabbit Lake Operation – uranium mine and mill licence renewed for 15 years

The renewed licences authorize Cameco to continue to operate all 3 sites, which are located in northern Saskatchewan on Treaty 10 territory (1906) and the Homeland of the Métis, and are within the traditional territories of the Denesųłiné, Cree, and Métis peoples.

These decisions follow a public hearing held on June 7 and 8, 2023, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. As part of each licence renewal, the Commission directs that Cameco provide comprehensive updates to the Commission on the conduct of its licensed activities as follows:

    Key Lake Operation – every 7 years of the licence period, i.e., in 2030 and 2037

    McArthur River Operation – every 7 years of the licence period, i.e., in 2030 and 2037 

    Rabbit Lake Operation – at the mid-point of the licence period, i.e., in 2030

In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from Cameco, CNSC staff, and over 30 intervenors. All submissions are available on the CNSC website. The CNSC made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and other interested parties. A funding review committee, independent of the CNSC, reviewed the funding applications received and made recommendations on the allocation of funds. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the CNSC awarded up to $349,019 to 6 applicants:

• Participant funding awarded for the Key Lake and McArthur River operations
• Participant funding awarded for the Rabbit Lake Operation

After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that Cameco remains qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licences will authorize. It also concluded that Cameco will continue to make adequate provision for the protection of the environment and the health and safety of persons.

The records of decision are available upon request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decisions will also be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website (nuclearsafety.gc.ca) at a later date.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; 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. The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government, independent from any political, government or private sector influence.

Timeline

• In September 2022, the CNSC made funding available through its Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and other interested parties in presenting their views to the Commission.
• Cameco applied for 20-year licence renewals on November 4, 2022.
• The renewed licence for the Rabbit Lake Operation is valid until October 31, 2038, and the renewed licences for the Key Lake and McArthur River operations are valid until October 31, 2043.

Quick facts

• Owing to economic factors, Cameco safely transitioned the Rabbit Lake Operation into a state of care and maintenance in 2016. Cameco has not indicated to the CNSC whether it plans to restart production at Rabbit Lake.
• The renewed licence contains no changes to the authorized activities or terms and conditions of the previous licence.
• In the event of a return to operations, Cameco is required to submit a commissioning report to the CNSC for regulatory acceptance.
• The Key Lake and McArthur River operations are operationally connected because uranium ore from the McArthur River mine is processed at the Key Lake mill.
• The renewed licence contains no changes to the authorized activities or terms and conditions of the previous licence. 

Associated links

• Information about CNSC oversight of uranium mines and mills  
• Hearing submissions

Contact

Media Relations
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Tel: 613-996-6860

Email: mediarelations@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca