Ottawa top uranium producer

Canada continues as the world’s leading producer and exporter of uranium, according to results of the annual assessment of the country’s uranium supply released recently by Marcel Masse, minister of energy, mines and resources.

At the end of 1985, total recoverable resources in the measured, indicated and inferred categories were estimated at 545,000 tonnes of uranium, down slightly from the 551,000 reported for 1984.

The most significant change from 1984 to 1985 is a 19% increase in measured resources, largely the result of continued uranium exploration and development in northern Saskatchewan.

Canada’s five uranium producers, operating seven production centres, supported a workforce of some 5,200 employees and produced concentrates in 1985 containing 10,880 tonnes of uranium.

Canada’s domestic needs for uranium are assured, said Mr Masse. About 85% of the country’s annual production is destined for export. During 1985, new and revised export contracts totalling some 10,200 tonnes were approved by the federal government. On Jan 1, outstanding uranium export commitments were 63,000 tonnes or about 12% of total known Canadian uranium resources.

Canadian producers shipped about 10,029 tonnes in 1985 valued at $960 million.

Canada remains the centre of worldwide uranium exploration activity, said Mr Masse. Nearly 75% of the $32 million expenditure on Canada’s 1985 uranium exploration was spent in northern Saskatchewan. The continuing exploration in that province has led to the discovery or enlargement in recent years of such important deposits as Cigar Lake, Eagle Point, Dominique-Peter and Dominique- Janine. All are in the Athabasca Basin.

Based on committed projects, Canada’s annual production capability should continue at a level of about 12,000 tonnes through the late 1980s. If markets are available, several recently discovered deposits could be developed to bring total Canadian production capability to about 16,000 tonnes annually by the mid-to-late 1990s.