Blind River Refinery Licence Renewal

 On February 17, 2022, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced that Cameco’s Blind River Refinery has been granted a 10-year renewal of its Fuel Facility Operating Licence. The CNSC’s Record of Decision will be available in the near future, and you can read the news release here.

The renewed licence allows the Refinery to operate until February 28, 2032, at which time Cameco can request to renew the licence for another period. No changes were requested in the renewal and therefore operations are expected to safely continue in largely the same manner.

As part of the CNSC’s public licence renewal process, dozens of intervenors supported Cameco’s application. Cameco also heard feedback and areas of interest about its operations, and we look forward to continued dialogue, actively engaging and making improvements.

Safety is at the core of Cameco’s operations and activities, and throughout this renewed licence period we remain committed to the protection of people and the environment.

For more information please contact:

Sara Forsey
Manager, Public & Government Affairs
sara_forsey@cameco.com
289.771.1007

Virtual Community Information Session – April 27

On April 27, Cameco held a virtual community information session to give an overview of our operations at the Blind River Refinery.

Dale Clark, vice president of Cameco’s Fuel Services Division, Terry Davis, general manager of the Blind River Refinery and Laurie Cassidy, superintendent of compliance and licensing discussed our operations, how we protect people and the environment and more about the licence renewal process.

If you were unable to join the live Information Session, a video recording is now available:

Why did we hold this session?

On September 30, 2020 Cameco’s Blind River Refinery applied to Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to renew its Class 1B Fuel Facility Operating Licence for a period of 10 years. This information session was held to provide the public with details on our operations and provide a forum for the public to ask questions.

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Blind River Refinery Licence Renewal - Briefing Guide (PDF 10MB)

Blind River Refinery Licensing Renewal

Cameco’s Blind River Refinery (BRR) holds a Class 1B Fuel Facility Operating (FFOL) Licence issued by Canada’s nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). The current licence FFOL-3632.00/2022, issued on February 28, 2012 is valid until February 28, 2022.

On September 30, 2020, Cameco applied to the CNSC to renew its licence for a period of 10 years. Cameco is not requesting any changes to the currently licensed activities.

BRR has a long history of safe operations and has maintained strong operational and safety performance throughout the current licence period. Throughout this period:

• Workers were safe and properly protected. BRR achieved 14 years without a lost time injury.
• Environmental emissions were controlled to levels at a fraction of the release limits and BRR did not exceed any environmental action levels.
• Cameco invested in the local community and provided financial support and resources to local organizations.

If you have any questions about the licence renewal process, please contact us at 1.905.800.2020 or cameco_ontario@cameco.com.

Key Dates

Public Commission Hearing – November 24-25, 2021
Intervention Deadline – October 19, 2021

CNSC’s Notice of Hearing:

Application:

Program summaries: