Commission renews Cameco Corporation’s licence for the decommissioned Beaverlodge Project for a 2-year period

May 16, 2023 – Ottawa

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to renew the waste facility operating licence held by Cameco Corporation (Cameco) for the decommissioned Beaverlodge mine and mill site for 2 years. The site is located near Uranium City in northern Saskatchewan, within historic Treaty 8 territory, the Homeland of the Métis, and within the traditional territories of the Dene, Cree, and Métis peoples. This decision follows a public hearing based on written materials. The renewed licence authorizes Cameco to continue to manage ongoing reclamation, maintenance and monitoring activities at the Beaverlodge properties.

In making its decision, the Commission considered written submissions from Cameco, CNSC staff and 7 intervenors. The CNSC also made participant funding available through its Participant Funding Program and invited interventions from Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders. 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 a total of up to $38,885 to the Ya’thi Néné Land and Resource Office.

After reviewing all submissions, the Commission concluded that Cameco remains qualified to carry on the activities that the renewed licence 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 record of decision is available upon request to the Commission Registry at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca. The decision will also be posted in both official languages at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. All submissions are available on the CNSC website.

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

• Cameco applied for a 2-year licence renewal on August 10, 2022.
• In September 2022, the CNSC made funding available through its Participant Funding Program to support Indigenous Nations and communities, members of the public and stakeholders in presenting their views to the Commission.
• The renewed licence is valid until May 31, 2025.

Quick facts

• Eldorado Nuclear Limited, a federal Crown corporation, operated the Beaverlodge mine and mill site from 1952 to 1982.
• The Beaverlodge mine and mill site has been in a monitoring state since decommissioning was completed in 1985.
• Originally comprising 70 separate properties, the decommissioned Beaverlodge mine and mill site currently consists of 27 properties licensed by the CNSC. As Cameco has demonstrated that the properties have met the performance objectives of safe, secure, and stable/improving, Cameco has applied to have them released from CNSC licensing to facilitate their transfer to Saskatchewan’s Institutional Control Program.
• 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 waste
• Hearing submissions

Contact

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

Email: mediarelations@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca