Cameco resumes pumping out uranium mine
Last Updated: Friday, October 23, 2009 | 5:06 PM CT
CBC News
Cameco Corp. has gone back to work getting the water out of its partially flooded uranium mine at Cigar Lake in northern Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon-based company suspended pumping out the mine after more water started flowing in on Aug. 12. It has since covered the problem area with concrete and installed an inflatable seal.
Cigar Lake, located about 660 kilometres north of Saskatoon, is expected to be a lucrative property for the company once it goes into production.
Early in 2006, the company said the mine was on track to open in 2008, but since then there has been a rockfall and subsequent flooding, and the start date has been delayed several times. Cameco now says it will wait until the water is pumped out before it estimates when the mine will be in production.
The company says it will meet with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on Nov. 6 to discuss its plans to complete construction.
The company also said it will need another six to 12 months to finish "dewatering" the mine. That's assuming it doesn't encounter any more water problems.
