McArthur River uranium mine
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Athabasca Basin |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 57°45′45″N 105°03′07″W / 57.76250°N 105.05194°WCoordinates: 57°45′45″N 105°03′07″W / 57.76250°N 105.05194°W |
| Production | |
| Products | Uranium |
| History | |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Cameco(70%) and Areva Resources Canada(30%) |
| Year of acquisition | 1988 (Discovery) |
The McArthur River Uranium Mine, in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit.
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. 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 has produced 250.6 million pounds U3O8.[1]
In 2012, McArthur River was the world's largest producing uranium mine, accounting for 13% of world mine production.[2] (Canada, as a whole, produces 15% of the world's uranium production.)
Reserves[edit]
As of December 31, 2013, the mine has proven and probable reserves of 1,037,400 tonnes at an average grade of 15.76% U3O8.[3] (360.5 Million pounds)
Awards[edit]
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.
National Trophy
- 2000
- 2010
- 2014
Regional Trophy - Prairies and Northwest Territories
- 2011
Ownership[edit]
The mine is owned by Cameco (70%) and Areva Resources Canada (30%), formerly COGEMA Resources Inc. Cameco is the mine operator.
Access[edit]
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[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "McArthur River - Summary". Cameco Corporation. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ "World Uranium Mining". World Nuclear Association. July 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
- ^ "Annual Report 2013- Mineral Reserves". Cameco Corporation. Retrieved 2014-06-09.
External links[edit]
- "McArthur River". Cameco Corporation.
- "McArthur River/Key Lake". AREVA.
