McArthur River uranium mine
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | Athabasca Basin |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 57°45′45″N 105°03′07″W / 57.76250°N 105.05194°WCoordinates: 57°45′45″N 105°03′07″W / 57.76250°N 105.05194°W |
| Production | |
| Products | Uranium |
| History | |
| Opened | 2000 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Cameco(70%) and Areva Resources Canada(30%) |
| Year of acquisition | 1988 (Discovery) |
The McArthur River Uranium Mine, in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit.
The McArthur River deposit was discovered in 1988. The property is located 620 air kilometres north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and 80 kilometres northeast of the Key Lake mill in the uranium rich Athabasca Basin. Mine construction began in 1997, with production commencing in 1999. The mine achieved full commercial production in November 2000. Production is regulated at 18.7 million pounds of yellowcake a year with the ore being processed through the Key Lake mill.
Between 2000 and 2013, the McArthur River/Key Lake operation has produced 250.6 million pounds U3O8. Note that this production figure includes production from the former Key Lake mine as well as that derived from the McArthur River mine. The link also needs to be updated.
In 2012, McArthur River was the world's largest producing uranium mine, accounting for 13% of world mine production. (Canada, as a whole, produces 15% of the world's uranium production.)
As of December 31, 2013, the mine has proven and probable reserves of 1,037,400 tonnes at an average grade of 15.76% U3O8. (360.5 Million pounds)
During the most hazardous mining operations, remote controlled underground mining systems in this mine are used to reduce personnel exposure to rock particulates, radon gas, and other hazards. A video detailing the operations at the mine is provided by CAMECO.
The McArthur River mine has been awarded the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's John T. Ryan Trophy for the best safety record for metal mines several times. This award is given to the metal mine with the best safety record for the previous year.
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Wikipedia