Environmental assessment start date: July 4, 2005
Type: Screening
CEAR reference number: 05-01-12540
Proponent: Cameco Corporation
Location: Blind River, Ontario

Latest Update

• October 14, 2005 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines - Comment Period Closed
• August 25, 2005 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines
• July 7, 2005 - Project Description (see below)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received notice from Cameco Corporation (Cameco) seeking an amendment to an existing licence to authorize an increase in the production capacity of the Blind River Refinery. The Blind River Refinery is currently licensed with a Fuel Facility Operating Licence.

This project involves a proposed increase to the annual licensed production capacity of the Blind River Refinery from 18,000 tonnes uranium as uranium trioxide (UO₃) to 24,000 tonnes uranium as UO₃. The proposed increase in annual production would be achieved by making minor process modifications to the current circuits.

Before a decision is made on Cameco’s proposal, an environmental assessment must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an environmental assessment is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and to determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Further Information

For questions or information directly related to the environmental assessment of the proposed project, please contact:

Michael Rinker
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Processing Facilities and Technical Support Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9

Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax : (613) 995-5086
E-mail : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

The CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its environmental assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request from:

David Werry
Project Officer
Processing Facilities and Technical Support Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P. O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9

Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax : (613) 995-5086
E-mail : ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

For more information on the environmental assessment process, please refer to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency web site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.