CNSC Announces Decision on Licence Amendment for COGEMA Resources Inc. to Proceed with Phase II of the Mining Equipment Development Program at the McClean Lake Operation in Saskatchewan

06-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2006

Following a hearing held on March 30, 2006, in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced today its decision to amend the Uranium Mine Operating Licence for COGEMA Resources Inc.’s (COGEMA) McClean Lake Operation. The amended licence will allow COGEMA to proceed with the development stage, Phase II, of the Mining Equipment Development (MED) Program. The MED program is a small-scale mining test program to determine the suitability of using specialized equipment on surface to extract ore from underground deposits.

With this decision, the Commission requested that CNSC staff present to the Commission a status report on the results of the operations conducted under Phase I of the MED program, following the completion of Phase I approximately in August 2006. The status report will be presented at a public proceeding of the Commission.

During the public hearing, the Commission considered written submissions and oral presentations from COGEMA, CNSC staff and intervenors. The Commission concluded that COGEMA is qualified to carry on the activity that the licence will authorize and that it will make adequate provision for the protection of the environment, the health and safety of persons, and the maintenance of national security and measures required to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed.

A Record of Proceedings, including Reasons for Decision of the hearing is available on the CNSC Web site at www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca, or by contacting the CNSC.

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.

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Contact:
Pascale Bourassa
Commission Secretariat
(613) 947-0247
1-800-668-5284