Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Mining and Milling the Midwest Project

McClean Lake Operation (SK)

March 2, 2006 (Updated August 31, 2010) -- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada are required to ensure that a comprehensive study is conducted pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act commencing on March 1, 2006 in relation to the project: Mining and Milling the Midwest Project.

The Midwest Project involves the mining and milling of a uranium deposit located near the eastern margin of the Athabasca basin in northern Saskatchewan; about 15 km west of the JEB mill at the McClean Lake Operation. COGEMA proposed to extend the mining and milling activities at the McClean Lake Operation to include the Midwest Project. The project includes the following components: development of the Midwest ore deposit as an open pit mine; development of a dedicated haul road linking the Midwest development with the existing McClean Lake Operation; and increasing the production capacity of the JEB mill to accommodate the planned rate for milling of the Midwest ore

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission may take action in relation to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act; Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act; Natural Resources Canada may take action in relation to paragraph 7(1)(a) of the Explosives Act and Transport Canada may take action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Saskatchewan.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Kiza Francis
Environmental Assessment Officer
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P.O. Box 1046 Station B
280 Slater Street
Ottawa  ON  K1P 5S9
Telephone: 613-947-1051 or 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: ceaainfo@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 06-03-17519