Canada: McClean Lake operating license is revoked

Press release

September 26, 2002

Ruling on a complaint filed by the Inter-Church Uranium Committee Educational Co-operative against the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), a Canadian federal court has revoked the operating license of the McClean Lake uranium ore processing plant. The license was issued to COGEMA Resources Inc. in June 1999 and renewed for four years in August 2001.

The complaint alleges that the CNSC did not properly carry out the licensing process.

The CNSC and COGEMA Resources, Inc., plan to appeal the decision and will ask for permission to continue operating the plant while awaiting a ruling.

The McClean Lake plant, located in northern Saskatchewan, is operated by COGEMA Resources in a joint venture. It has a 70% interest in the project. The other partners are Denison Energy (22.5%) and OURD (7.5%). Since 1999, the plant has produced 2,300 tons of uranium per year. The facilities received ISO 14001 certification in 2001 and are recognized as a model of environmental and safety management. The plant employs 175 people, 50% of whom are natives of communities in northern Saskatchewan).