Energy reduction efforts

Cameco Employee — Thanks to bright ideas from our employees, a switch to energy efficient compact fluorescent lights at the Key Lake airport reduced energy costs by more than $2,000 annually.

Energy consumption is increasing at Cameco's operations as we work to increase production. To help offset this trend, our sites are looking for cost-effective ways to improve their performance in this area.

Tank insulation

The large counter-current decantation (CCD) tanks at our Key Lake milling operation must maintain a consistent temperature to operate correctly. This can be a challenge in the long winters of northern Saskatchewan. To improve the efficiency of these units and minimize the amount of energy we're using to keep them operating, we've insulated the sides of the tanks and installed steam flow meters to more accurately measure and control the use of steam. Floating removable lids are planned to be installed which will retain even more heat. We anticipate the investment will bring further reductions in the energy it takes to run these units.

Air leak-detection and repair

When an audit showed that leaks in compressed air piping at our Rabbit Lake operation could be costing more than $90,000 a year in extra electricity costs, addressing leaks became a priority. A leak-detection program was introduced and an ultrasonic leak detector was purchased and testing began. Maintenance of the compressed air system is now being logged, and Rabbit Lake will produce quarterly reports to document leaks found and fixed, along with estimates of the resulting cost savings.

Air-leak detection programs are now in place at most of our minesites, reducing overall energy consumption. But finding and repairing leaks is just one part of the benefit. By raising awareness of the considerable costs of using compressed air, we've empowered our teams on the ground to actively assist in monitoring and managing its use to keep consumption as low as possible.

As our production increases and our operations expand, we'll continue to look for more innovative ways to reduce our energy consumption and lessen our environmental impact.

A bright idea from Key Lake

As a site services foreman at the Key Lake operation, Lorne Courouble sees first-hand the opportunities to reduce energy consumed at the site. To act on one of those opportunities, Lorne decided to join the environmental committee. He proposed switching the light bulbs on the airport runway from traditional incandescent to more efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). This simple idea made a big difference as the change reduced energy costs by more than $2,000 a year and improved visibility and safety.

Other operations, like McArthur River and Cigar Lake, are experimenting with LED (light-emitting diode) solutions in their yards and even underground. LEDs are smaller and more durable than incandescent lights, and have a longer life as well as being more energy efficient.

In Ontario, Cameco Fuel Manufacturing is giving induction lighting a try. A variant of fluorescent lighting without electrodes or filaments (the items that frequently cause other bulbs to burn out quickly) induction lights are durable, efficient and virtually maintenance-free.