Released on July 2, 2009
Cameco Corporation's former Contact Lake gold mine has the distinction of being the first decommissioned and reclaimed mine site to be entered in the Saskatchewan government's Institutional Control Registry.
Saskatchewan is the first jurisdiction in the world to establish a framework and fund for managing all mine and mill sites in perpetuity. The province established ground-breaking legislation two years ago when it introduced The Reclaimed Industrial Sites Act and implemented the industry-funded registry.
"We recognize the importance of ensuring human health and safety and protection of the environment for future generations," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "That's why we have a program and a world-class standard for the long-term management of decommissioned mine sites."
The Contact Lake gold mine operated from 1994 until 1998 in the Lac La Ronge area. Decommissioning and reclamation activities and associated post-decommissioning monitoring were completed from 1998 to 2008.
Environmental inspection and monitoring to date indicate the site is stable with decommissioning and reclamation measures performing as expected.
Cameco's site now qualifies to be released under The Environmental Management and Protection Act and for acceptance into the Institutional Control Program under The Reclaimed Industrial Sites Act. The company has provided the requisite funds placed in a trust managed by the government, to cover the cost of any future monitoring and maintenance the site may require.
"Cameco has stepped up to the plate and fulfilled its obligations and requirements for decommissioning and reclamation," Boyd said. "Being the first entry in this innovative Saskatchewan Registry is a landmark of which we can all be proud."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca