Saskatchewan

Eagle Point Water Management Project

Environmental assessment Start date:  August 17, 2010
Type:  Screening
CEAR reference number: 10-01-57776
Proponent: Cameco Corporation
Location: Rabbit Lake, Saskatchewan

Latest Update

• April 21, 2011: Record of Proceedings - Cameco Corporation - Proposed Project-Specific Guidelines Scoping Document for the Eagle Point Water Management Project, Rabbit Lake Operation (PDF)

Project Description

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has received a project description from Cameco Corporation (Cameco) to establish a new reverse osmosis (RO) mine water treatment plant and discharge system.  This system will be constructed at the Eagle Point mine (Eagle Point) at Cameco’s Rabbit Lake Operation to ensure adequate water handling systems are in place to permanently accommodate planned mine development and associated mine water inflow.

Cameco is proposing the following construction activities:

• site preparation activities to support the construction of the Project;
• construction of an RO water treatment plant (RO plant);
• construction of a holding pond and associated piping systems to feed the RO plant;
• establishment of a new discharge point from the RO plant to Collins Bay adjacent to Eagle Point’s surface facilities; and
• installation of pipelines to connect the proposed RO plant to the existing water handing system.

CNSC authorization is required for Cameco to carry out the proposed water management project.  This requires an amendment to Cameco’s Uranium Mine Operating Licence, pursuant to subsection 24(2) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act (NSCA). 

Before the Commission may consider a decision on licensing under the NSCA regarding Cameco’s proposal, a screening level environmental assessment (EA) must be completed in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of an EA is to identify the possible environmental effects of a proposed project, and determine whether these effects can be mitigated before the project is allowed to proceed.

Further Information

CNSC maintains a public registry of documents related to its Environmental Assessments. Lists and copies of documents may be obtained upon request. For questions or information directly related to this environmental assessment, please contact:

Nicole Frigault
Environmental Assessment Officer
Environmental Assessment Division
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
P. O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON
K1P 5S9
Telephone: 1-800-668-5284
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: EA@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; and to respect Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.