Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

News Release

Environment Minister Announces Decision on Cluff Lake Uranium Mine Decommissioning

OTTAWA, April 15, 2004 -- The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the decommissioning of the Cluff Lake Uranium Mine and Mill facility in Saskatchewan does not require further assessment by a review panel or mediator under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Minister referred the project, proposed by COGEMA Resources Inc., back to the federal responsible authority, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), for appropriate action.

The Minister has determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects with the implementation of the mitigation measures outlined in the comprehensive study report. The Minister based his decision on:

• the comprehensive study report, including the conclusions and recommendations, submitted by the CNSC;
• public comments received during the 30-day consultation period, and the Commission's response to the comments;
• the implementation of mitigation measures;
• the implementation of a follow-up program.

The Cluff Lake Uranium Mine and Mill facility is located in Saskatchewan, 75 km south of Lake Athabasca and 15 km east of the provincial border with Alberta. The tailings management facility will be covered in place. One open pit will be backfilled and two others will be flooded. The remaining waste rock piles will be covered. Long-term monitoring of the decommissioned facility will follow.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.

Media may contact:

Élise Dhaussy
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: (613) 957-0406
Fax: (613) 957-0946
E-mail: elise.dhaussy@ceaa-acee.gc.ca