Environmental assessment start date: May 14, 2003
Type: Screening
FEAI reference number: 37399
Proponent: Cameco Corporation
Location: Port Hope, Ontario

Latest update

• September 23, 2005 - Cancelled
• May 11, 2005 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Screening Report
• January 18, 2005 - CNSC staff issued a Deficiency Statement to Cameco Corporation with regards to the company’s November submission of its Environmental Assessment Study Report for the SEU/BDU Blending Proposal
• January 9, 2004 - Ruling on Late Submission by an Intervenor on the EA Guidelines for the Proposed Blending of Slightly Enriched Uranium and Blended Dysprosium Uranium at the Conversion Facility in Port Hope
• January 8, 2004 - CNSC Announces Decision on Environmental Assessment Guidelines for the Proposed Blending of Slightly Enriched Uranium and Blended Dysprosium Uranium at the Conversion Facility in Port Hope
• September 22, 2003 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines - Comment Period Closed
• September 9, 2003 - Notice - Public Hearing - November 27, 2003
• August 15, 2003 - Request for Public Comment - Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines


• June 11, 2003 - Project description (see below)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received notice from Cameco Corporation, seeking amendments to an existing licence to authorize the construction and operation of blending facilities at its Port Hope Facility in Port Hope, Ontario. The existing facility is licensed with a fuel facility operating licence under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. An environmental assessment was completed for the Port Hope Facility in 1995.

The project proposed by Cameco would include the installation of blending circuits for the commercial production of Slightly Enriched Uranium (SEU) and Blended Dysprosium Uranium (BDU) powders. The combination of the SEU and the BDU powders forms the basis of the new type of CANDU fuel being developed for use by Bruce Power Inc. and AECL.The project involves the construction and operation of blending circuits, scrap recovery circuits and a warehouse.

Before the Commission makes its decision, 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 related to the environmental assessment of the proposed construction and operation of facilities for the commercial production of SEU and BDU, please contact:

Heather Jarrett
Environmental Assessment Specialist
Processing Facilities and Tech. 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:

H. Rabski
Licensing Project Officer
Processing Facilities and Technical Support Division
Directorate of Nuclear Cycle and Facilities Regulation
280 Slater Street
P.O. Box 1046
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9

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