Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced its decision to renew the Uranium Mine Licence issued to Orano Canada Inc. (Orano) for its Cluff Lake Project, located in northwestern Saskatchewan. The licence allows Orano to decommission the Cluff Lake Project site, possess, manage and store nuclear substances. The decision follows a public hearing held on May 15, 2019, in Ottawa, and the licence will be valid from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2024.
In making its decision, the Commission considered submissions from Orano and 12 intervenors, as well as CNSC staff's recommendations. The Commission made participant funding available through the CNSC's Participant Funding Program, and it invited interventions from Indigenous groups, members of the public and other stakeholders in this matter. Participant funding was provided to five requesters to assist with interventions.
CNSC staff will report regularly on Orano's performance, as part of a regulatory oversight report. These reports will be presented at public Commission meetings.
The Record of Decision is available on request to the Commission Secretariat. It will be posted in both official languages on the CNSC website at nuclearsafety.gc.ca at a later date. Hearing transcripts can be obtained on the CNSC website or by contacting the CNSC. The hearing webcast is available on the same site.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public
Quick facts
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Cluff Lake is the first uranium mine designed to be decommissioned - the CNSC has had regulatory authority from the beginning of its life cycle.
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In 2013, Orano Canada requested to discontinue full-time site presence. The CNSC accepted the request, and the decommissioning of the remaining infrastructure was completed.
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Cluff Lake site no longer produces any contaminants or waste.
