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The '''Cigar Lake Mine''' is the largest ''undeveloped'' high grade [[uranium]] deposit in the world, located in the uranium rich [[Athabasca Basin]] of northern[[Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]]. |
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'''Cigar Lake Mine''' is a [[uranium]] mine located in [[Saskatchewan]], [[Canada]]. This particular uranium mine is noteworthy both because of its size, as well as the concentration of its [[ore]]. Whereas the ore at most uranium mines has a concentration of less than 1%, the ore at Cigar Lake Mine is 19%. In addition, the mine contains 232 million pounds of uranium, which is the second largest known deposit of uranium anywhere in the world. The mine was discovered in 1983. Although the first production was planned for 2007, a [[flood]] prevented the target date from being met. Production is expected to be delayed at least until 2011. The mine is also noteworthy because recent construction and planned future construction of dozens of new [[nuclear power]] plants has created a substantial increase in the worldwide demand for uranium.<ref>[http://www.moneymorning.com/2008/01/03/outlook-2008-continued-supply-crunches-will-add-a-glow-to-uranium-stocks/ Outlook 2008: Continued Supply Crunches Will Add a “Glow” to Uranium Stocks]</ref> |
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The deposit, discovered in 1981, is second in size of high-grade deposits only to [[McArthur River mine|McArthur River]]. Other deposits, such as [[Olympic Dam]] in [[Australia]], contain more uramium, but not at the significant grades of the Saskatchewan deposits. The average grade at Cigar lake is in excess of 20% where as the world average is less than 1%. |
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As of December 31, 2007, the mine has proven and probable reserves of 497,000 tonnes U<sub>3</sub>O<sub>8</sub> at an average grade of 20.67% (226.3 Million pounds) |
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Construction began in 2005 with production planned for 2007, but the mine is currently undergoing a phased remediation program to restore the underground workings following a [[flood]] in October, 2006. Production is expected to be delayed until 2011. |
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The mine is owned by [[Cameco|Cameco Corporation]] (50%), [[AREVA|AREVA Resources Canada Inc.]] (37%), Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd. (8%), and TEPCO Resources Inc. (5%). [[Cameco]] is the project operator. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[http://www.cameco.com/operations/uranium/cigar_lake/ CAMECO - Cigar Lake Project] |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[http://www.moneymorning.com/2008/01/03/outlook-2008-continued-supply-crunches-will-add-a-glow-to-uranium-stocks/ Outlook 2008: Continued Supply Crunches Will Add a “Glow” to Uranium Stocks] |
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[[Category:Uranium mining]] |
[[Category:Uranium mining]] |
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[[Category:Uranium mines]] |
[[Category:Uranium mines in Canada]] |
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[[Category:Mines in Saskatchewan]] |
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Revision as of 22:49, 31 May 2008
The Cigar Lake Mine is the largest undeveloped high grade uranium deposit in the world, located in the uranium rich Athabasca Basin of northernSaskatchewan, Canada.
The deposit, discovered in 1981, is second in size of high-grade deposits only to McArthur River. Other deposits, such as Olympic Dam in Australia, contain more uramium, but not at the significant grades of the Saskatchewan deposits. The average grade at Cigar lake is in excess of 20% where as the world average is less than 1%.
As of December 31, 2007, the mine has proven and probable reserves of 497,000 tonnes U3O8 at an average grade of 20.67% (226.3 Million pounds)
Construction began in 2005 with production planned for 2007, but the mine is currently undergoing a phased remediation program to restore the underground workings following a flood in October, 2006. Production is expected to be delayed until 2011.
The mine is owned by Cameco Corporation (50%), AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (37%), Idemitsu Canada Resources Ltd. (8%), and TEPCO Resources Inc. (5%). Cameco is the project operator.
References
CAMECO - Cigar Lake Project Outlook 2008: Continued Supply Crunches Will Add a “Glow” to Uranium Stocks