Mining: AREVA McClean Lake Mill Starts Processing Uranium from Cigar Lake

The McClean Lake mill, operated by AREVA in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, began processing uranium ore from the Cigar Lake mine, located 70 km away and operating since March 2014.

The McClean Lake mill is the only facility in the world designed to process highgrade uranium ore without dilution. It is expected to produce up to 1 million pounds of uranium this year.

The mill will process 18 million pounds of uranium per year starting 2018, once the Cigar Lake mine has reached full capacity. These two operations combined will become the world’s second largest uranium production centre.

Olivier Wantz, senior executive vice president of AREVA’s Mining Business Group said: “The start of production at the McClean Lake mill represents a strategic investment for AREVA’s mining business and illustrates the quality of our partnership with Canada. With McClean Lake mill in operation, AREVA is creating jobs and offering business opportunities in Saskatchewan.”

The McClean Lake mill is owned by AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (70%), Denison Mines Corp. (22.5%) and OURD Canada Co. Ltd. (7.5%), and is operated by AREVA. The Cigar Lake mine is owned by Cameco Corp. (50.025%, operator), AREVA (37.1%), Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd.  7.875%) and TEPCO Resources Inc. (5.0%).