McArthur River uranium mine

The McArthur River Uranium Mine, in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit.

This article is about the uranium mine in Canada. For the lead-zinc mine in Australia, see McArthur River zinc mine. For other uranium mines in the McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia, see Ranger Uranium Mine.
McArthur River Uranium Mine
Location
McArthur River Uranium Mine
Location in Saskatchewan
LocationAthabasca Basin
ProvinceSaskatchewan
CountryCanada
Coordinates57°45′45″N 105°03′07″W
Production
ProductsYellowcake (U3O8)
Production16.1 million pounds
Financial year2017
History
Discovered1988
Opened1999
Active1999 - 2018
Owner
CompanyCameco (70%)
Orano Canada (30%)

The McArthur River deposit was discovered in 1988. The property is located 620 air kilometres north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and 80 kilometres northeast of the Key Lake mill in the uranium rich Athabasca Basin. Mine construction began in 1997, with production commencing in 1999.[1] The mine achieved full commercial production in November 2000. Production is regulated at 18.7 million pounds of yellowcake a year with the ore being processed through the Key Lake mill.

Between 2000 and 2013, the McArthur River/Key Lake operation produced 250.6 million pounds U3O8.[2] This production figure includes blended low grade stockpiles from the former Key Lake mine as well as ore derived from the McArthur River mine.

In 2012, McArthur River was the world's largest producing uranium mine, accounting for 13% of world mine production.[3] Canada, as a whole, produces 15% of the world's uranium production.

In late 2017, citing "continued low uranium prices," Cameco announced that the McArthur River/Key Lake operation would suspend production.[4] As of April 2020, the mine remains under care and maintenance [5]

McArthur River Uranium Mine aerial view

Reserves

As of December 31, 2017, the mine had Proven and Probable Reserves of 250.7 million pounds, with an average grade of 9.63% U3O8.[6]

Awards

During the most hazardous mining operations, remote controlled underground mining systems in this mine[7][8] are used to reduce personnel exposure to rock particulates, radon gas, and other hazards.[9] A video detailing the operations at the mine is provided by CAMECO.[10]

The McArthur River mine has been awarded the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's John T. Ryan Trophy for the best safety record for metal mines several times. This award is given to the metal mine with the best safety record for the previous year.

Ownership

The mine is owned by Cameco (70%), and Orano Canada (30%) (formerly Areva Resources Canada, formerly COGEMA Resources Inc.) Cameco is the mine operator.

Access

The mine is serviced by the McArthur River Airport to the northeast. It is also connected to the south by a restricted access haulage road. According to Google Maps, this road is Saskatchewan Highway 914, however the official 2011 highway map of Saskatchewan indicates that 914 terminates at a checkpoint at Key Lake mine, while the road that continues to McArthur is not a public highway (owned by Cameco) and does not appear on maps.

See also

References
  1. Crossland, Ian, ed. (2012). Nuclear Fuel Cycle Science and Engineering. Oxford: Woodhead. p. 137. ISBN 9780857096388. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  2. "McArthur River - Summary". Cameco Corporation. Archived from the original on 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  3. "World Uranium Mining". World Nuclear Association. July 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
  4. "Cameco to suspend McArthur River and Key Lake". World Nuclear News. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  5. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Canadian-companies-extend-suspension-of-uranium-op
  6. "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). Saskatoon: Cameco Corporation. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  7. Uranium — How Is It Mined? By: Dana S. Ulmer-Scholle
  8. http://www.mining-technology.com/features/feature-the-10-biggest-uranium-mines-in-the-world/
  9. Mining the high grade McArthur River uranium deposit - International.IAEA. Jamieson
  10. Cameco McArthur River Virtual Tour
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