The Saskatchewan government is looking to put a uranium refinery somewhere in the province.
On Wednesday, Premier Lorne Calvert and Industry Minister Eric Cline said they had held "positive" discussions with the French nuclear company Areva about such a project.
Cline said Areva has confirmed "it will look favourably upon Saskatchewan as a location for refining and conversion facilities as the need for increased capacity arises."
That could happen any time in the next decade, said Calvert, who was in France for the discussions with Areva.
Calvert also said Areva has made it official its plans to proceed with a new uranium mine at the Midwest Project near the McLean Lake mill in the northwestern corner of the province.
It's subject to environmental and other approvals but if it goes ahead, it will cost $200 million to develop and will employ 100 people, Calvert said.
Mine development good news: Calvert
Cline said it's expected development on the mine will start in 2007-08 and processing of ore from
the project at Areva's McLean Lake Mill will begin in 2009-10.
Calvert said that's good news for people who live in the North. The company's Canadian subsidiary, Areva Resources Canada — formerly known as Cogema — currently operates portions of several other uranium mines and mills around the province.
"We've taken what at one time was a very minimal involvement to a circumstance now where there is significant involvement in northerners in employment," Calvert said. "That commitment remains with Areva and I know with Cameco, and so it's just good news for our North."
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