A test phase of mining has been completed by Cigar Lake Mining at its Cigar Lake uranium deposit in northern Saskatchewan. The pilot project demonstrated that the high-grade orebody can be safely mined using today’s technology.
To develop the deposit, which contains estimated reserves of 385 million lb. of U3O8 at an average grade of 9.04% U3O88, several technical problems such as groundwater contamination, poor ground conditions and radiation protection of mining personnel had to be addressed.
To overcome these challenges, two new mining techniques were developed called Jet Boring and Boxhole Boring. In Jet Boring, high pressure water is used to cut out a cylinder-like cavity and the ore is transported in a slurry. The Boxhole method uses a modified boring machine to cut a vertical entry and the ore then falls through a special chute to either a shielded container or a pipe conveyor. In both cases the mined excavation is backfilled with concrete. With the Jet Boring technique, 113 tonnes grading 15.6% U3O8 were mined, while the Boxhole approach yielded 53 tonnes grading 17.3% U3O8. Throughout the tests, radiation levels underground were a fraction of the allowable limit.
Data from the pilot mining project will now be assessed and an Environmental Impact Statement will be produced. While this assessment is undertaken, the site will be placed on a care-and-maintenance basis.
Cigar Lake Mining is owned by Cameco (TSE) (48.75%), Cogema Canada (36.38%), Idemitsu Uranium Exploration Canada (12.87%) and Kepco Electric Power (2%). Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan government has given the McArthur River uranium exploration project, 650 km north of Saskatoon, the green light. Cameco, the majority stakeholder and project operator, is expected to begin exploration on the property this summer.
The McArthur River deposit contains estimated reserves of 260 million lb. averaging 5% U3O8.
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