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Cigar Lake is the world's second largest high-grade uranium deposit. The mine began operation in 2014, and is one of our three material properties. When at full production, the operation produces 18 million lbs (100% basis) of uranium annually. Our share is 9 million lbs.

Cigar Lake was placed in a temporary state of care and maintenance for periods in 2020 and 2021. During that time, we monitored the pandemic situation and kept northern Saskatchewan communities informed. Exposure protocols were developed and implemented to ensure the protection of our workers, their families and their communities. Cigar Lake safely transitioned back into production in 2021.

Key Facts

• licensed to June, 2031
• uses high-pressure jet-boring mining technique, invented specifically for this deposit
• the ore slurry is trucked in special containers to Orano Canada Limited's (formerly AREVA Resources Canada) McClean Lake mill 70 kms northeast
• 600 people (including contractors) are employed; about half are residents of northern Saskatchewan
• nearest community is Wollaston Lake, by air about 40 km south east

Environment

Cameco's environmental monitoring results and significant incident reports listed on cameco.com are reported to federal and provincial regulatory agencies. Environmental risk assessments are systematic processes used to identify and assess the potential risk posed by releases from the operation to people and the environment. For more information, see our Public Summary - Cigar Lake Operation ERA (PDF 1.4 MB)

For More Information

Visit Cigar Lake on cameco.com or read our Cigar Lake fact sheet

McArthur River is the world's largest high-grade uranium mine. 80 kms southwest, Key Lake remains the world's largest high-grade uranium mill. Together, since 2000, these two operations have produced more than 535 million pounds of uranium concentrates.

Key Facts

• After being held in safe care and maintenance since 2018, in February 2022, Cameco announced its decision to begin ramp up to production over the course of 2022 and 2023. Planned production of 15 million pounds (100% basis) is expected in 2023 and 18 million pounds (100% basis) in 2024.
• licensed to October 31, 2023 (both properties)
• ore slurry from McArthur River is trucked in special containers 80 kms southwest to Key Lake where it’s milled and blended for processing with low-grade ore stockpiled at the mill
• nearest village by road is Pinehouse, 220 km south of Key Lake and 300 km south of McArthur River

Environment

Cameco's environmental monitoring results and significant incident reports listed on cameco.com are reported to federal and provincial regulatory agencies. Environmental risk assessments are systematic processes used to identify and assess the potential risk posed by releases from the operation to people and the environment. For more information, see our Public Summary - Key Lake Operation ERA (PDF 3.8 MB)

For More Information

Visit McArthur River/Key Lake on cameco.com or read our McArthur River fact sheet

In the second quarter of 2016, due to weak market conditions, Cameco's Rabbit Lake facility was transitioned into care and maintenance.

The Rabbit Lake operation, which opened in 1975, is the longest operating uranium facility in North America and the second largest uranium mill in the world. All ore in recent years came from the Eagle Point underground mine. It is 100% owned by Cameco and has produced more than 203 million pounds of uranium concentrates since opening.

Key Facts

• licensed to October 31, 2023
• a multi-year, site-wide reclamation plan is underway to reclaim areas no longer in use
• nearest village is Wollaston Lake is 60 km by air

Environment

Cameco's environmental monitoring results and significant incident reports listed on cameco.com are reported to federal and provincial regulatory agencies. Environmental risk assessments are systematic processes used to identify and assess the potential risk posed by releases from the operation to people and the environment. For more information, see our Public Summary - Rabbit Lake Operation ERA (PDF 3.3 MB)

For More Information

• Cameco update - Rabbit Lake
• Proposal for Eagle Point Mine
• Project Update - Proposal for Eagle Point Mine

or visit Rabbit Lake on cameco.com or read our Rabbit Lake fact sheet

Millennium Project is a proposed uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan. The 590 hectare claim, which was designated as a separate project under the Cree Extension Joint Venture, the Millennium deposit is located in the south-eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 35 km north of Cameco's Key Lake operation.

Since its discovery, Cameco has continued to explore the deposit, conducted feasibility studies, and commenced environmental assessments and community consultations. Our studies indicate the deposit is smaller than Cigar Lake and is located roughly 600 meters below surface.

Key Facts

• Discovered in 2000
• Proposed mine type is underground
• No work is planned at Millennium. Further progress towards a development decision is not expected until market conditions improve.

Our exploration program is directed at replacing mineral reserves as they are depleted by our production, and is key to sustaining our business. However, during this period of weak uranium prices, and as we have ample idled production capacity, we have reduced our spending to focus only on exploration near our existing operations where we have established infrastructure and capacity to expand.

We believe that we have some of the best undeveloped uranium projects in the world. In northern Saskatchewan alone, we have direct interests in about 1.9 million acres of land covering many of the most prospective exploration areas of the Athabasca Basin.

We will continue to focus on our core projects in Saskatchewan under our long-term exploration strategy. Long-term, we look for properties that meet our investment criteria, we may partner with other companies through strategic alliances, equity holdings and traditional joint venture arrangements. Our leadership position and industry expertise in both exploration and corporate social responsibility make us a partner of choice.