Monthly Community Update

Transcription

1 Monthly Community Update AREVA Resources Canada Activities July-August 2012 AREVA Supportive of Enhanced Canada-China Nuclear Trade Representatives of the governments of Canada and China signed agreements last week paving the way toward increased cooperation in the nuclear energy sector between the two countries. While additional approvals are still required, the nuclear cooperation pact would enable the export of uranium directly from Canada to China. Exporting uranium produced in Canada directly to China provides a good option for AREVA. China is the world s fastest growing nuclear energy market, with more than 25 new reactors under construction and many more under development. Today, AREVA supplies Chinese customers with uranium produced from operations in other countries. In June, AREVA announced a series of agreements with China National Nuclear Corp, or CNNC, which include the supply of natural uranium from 2012 to In addition to uranium, AREVA supplies a wide range of nuclear products and services to China, including the construction of two EPR reactors at Taishan. Northern Saskatchewan Projects Northern Saskatchewan Scholarship Recipients ARC is pleased to offer $105,000 in northern Saskatchewan scholarships for the academic year. Scholarships recipients will each receive $5,000 for university studies, $5,000 for technical institute studies or $2,500 for designated trade studies. The following individuals were selected to receive a scholarship: Samantha Bihun of Stony Rapids, Bachelor of Science, U of S, 4th Year Lindsay Dennett of Beauval, NEPS, U of S, 4th year Walda Laurent od Fond Du Lac, B. of Education, U of R, 4th Year Brandon White of La Ronge, B. of Science, Honors Biology, U of S, 4th Year Kaetlyn Muirhead of Air Ronge, B. of Applied Science-Enviro Mgmt., Lakeland College, Breanne Senik of La Ronge, B. of Applied Science: Enviro Monitoring, Lakeland College Jennifer Norgaard of La Ronge, B. of Nursing, U of Lethbridge, 4th Year Haylee Toffan of Creighton, B. of Commerce, Major in Finance, U of S, 4th Year Aleya Tsannie of Wollaston Lake, B. of Arts, FNUC, 1st Year Simona Fern of Black Lake, Sask. Urban Native Teacher Ed, SUNTEP/U of S, 2nd year Corinne Charles of Stanley Mission, Civil Engineering Technology, SIAST, 2nd Year Tiffany Maurice of Beauval, Chemical Technology, SIAST, 2nd Year Sharlene Robillard of Black Lake, Business Program, SIIT, 2nd Year AREVA Resources Canada Inc.

2 Lana Stobbe of La Ronge, Water Resources Engineering Technology, SIAST, 3rd Year Joshua Watt of La Ronge, Instrumentation Engineering Technologist, SIAST, 3rd Year Robin Augier of Fond Du Lac, Radiation Environ. Monitoring Tech., SIAST/Northlands College, 1st Year Sylvia Marten of Fond Du Lac, Practical Nursing Distance Program, SIAST/Northlands College, 1st Year Shawn Morin of Jans Bay, Process Operator Technician II, SIIT, 2nd Year Reid Charles-Finley of La Ronge, Mining Engineering Tech., Northlands College, 2nd Year Eroll Morin of Southend, Radiation Environ. Monitoring Tech., Northlands College, 1sst Year Jesse Mayotte of La Ronge, SIAST, Plumbing, 3rd Year Garrett Durocher of Green Lake, SIAST, Heavy Equipment, 1st Year Public Hearing Announced on McClean Lake Licence Amendment in October The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) plans to hold a public meeting on October 24 on the proposed licence amendment for the McClean Lake mill. The public hearing will focus on the operation of the high-grade circuit, increasing our production limit and processing of McArthur River Ore (see related article below). The public is invitied to participate by written submission. The details for public involvement can be obtained by contacting the CNSC at interventions@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca JEB Tailings Management Facility Expansion Moving to Licensing AREVA has developed extensive plans to expand the capacity of the tailing management facility at its McClean Lake Operation (the JEB TMF ). The proposed expansion of the JEB TMF will provide capacity for tailings from future production at McClean Lake for the next 25 years. Federal and Provincial regulators are reviewing the planned expansion. Due to the recent changes to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act implemented by the Federal Government, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) notified AREVA on July 10 that an environmental assessment will no longer be required. As a result the proposed expansion of the JEB TMF will undergo a thorough review of the proposed changes through the CNSC licensing process. The transition from the federal environmental assessment screening process to the CNSC licensing process will reduce processing time while still fulfilling the CNSC s mission to protect the health, safety and security of persons and the environment. Earlier this year, the Provincial regulator also determined that an environmental assessment was not required for this project and that the proposed changes to the TMF could be reviewed and approved through the provincial licensing process. The expansion of the JEB TMF builds on 12 years of experience and performance monitoring data from the existing facility. This project will employ existing site infrastructure and is located at the same site at the McClean Lake mill. Page 2 of 5

3 Kiggavik Project AREVA Hosts Traditional Fashion Show in Baker Lake AREVA sponsored a traditional fashion show in Baker Lake on Nunavut Day on July 9 for the second consecutive year. This year s fashion show was a great success. The event was held outside the high school on a beautiful day: there was a strong enough breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay and the sun was shining all afternoon. It was one of those beautiful days that make you want to be outside, which was reflected by the number of spectators. Our judges were: Kim Jackson, Martha Jorah and Margaret Amarook. The event kicked off at 2:15pm with the 2 4 age group, and followed by the older children and then the adults there were four categories in all. The outfits were splendid some ornate and some simple, but each uniquely beautiful. After the show many prizes were awarded. Everyone had a great time and each participant received applause from the crowd. Environmental Monitoring Graduate Spends Time at McClean Lake Last month six people completed the Eco Canada Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources program in Rankin Inlet, which was implemented by Nunami Stantec and Sakku Developments with the goal of increasing qualified environmental monitors in Nunavut. Craig Beardsall, one of the Eco Canada program s graduates and also a graduate from a two-year environmental program offered in Iqaluit, commented about the future opportunities for environmental monitoring in Nunavut. Right now a lot of people are just looking at it as a job said Beardsall but we re going to need people doing a good job at environmental monitoring to keep it safe. After completing the certificate program Beardsall joined AREVA for a work placement and worked at the Kiggavik Project exploration site until August 7. Craig started his work placement with a week in the Environmental Group at AREVA s McClean Lake operation in northern Saskatchewan in July, and commented about his term so far: It was a safe place to work; everyone is cautious about everything. The group I worked with was great! During his time at McClean Lake Craig was able to experience various aspects of environmental field monitoring, including quality assurance and control sampling, groundwater monitoring, surveying and surface water monitoring to name a few. He was also able to observe activities related to the operation of the potable water treatment plants. However, it was not all work. During his off-duty time Craig was able to experience some great northern Saskatchewan fishing! Page 3 of 5

4 Environmental Monitoring at McClean Lake AREVA Resources' network of policies, procedures and monitoring programs ensures that emissions from mining and processing remain as low as reasonably achievable. The graphs below show the differences between the regulatory limits and the sampling results from water released to the environment at the water treatment plant at McClean Lake for the past 12 months. The bars at the bottom of each graph show the concentrations of elements in water from our treatment plant. The lines across the top show the regulatory limits. The graphs indicate that concentrations of elements in our waste water are well below the regulatory limits. Page 4 of 5

5 Human Resources for AREVA in Northern Saskatchewan As of July 31, 2012 TOTAL NORTHERNERS WORKFORCE McCLEAN LAKE AREVA Employees % Long Term Contractors Total Staff Athabasca Catering Limited Partnership Athabasca Basin Development Corp. o Janitorial Services o Security Services % 62% 100% 22% CLUFF LAKE AREVA Employees 3 67% Long Term Contractors Total Staff Sakitawak Development Corp Labour Clearwater Catering/Beaver Foods % 100% 50% Donations and Sponsorships We are pleased to have been able to help the following organizations during July 2012: Keethanow Elementary School Lac La Ronge Indian Band -Stanley Mission Band Office Buffalo Narrows Minor Sports Committee Ile a la Crosse Friendship Centre Inc. Montreal Lake Child & Family Agency Stony Rapids Community School Prince Albert Grand Council Page 5 of 5