Case Study

When crisis hits, Cameco takes action. During the summer of 2015, the company’s proactive approach provided some relief during a difficult time for thousands of northern Saskatchewan residents.

For a three-week stretch in late June into July, Cameco kept close watch as wildfires broke out in the region where its uranium operations and neighbours reside. Although the flames spared Cameco’s operations, road closures and flight restrictions created logistical headaches for Cameco. But that was nothing compared to what residents in nearby Pinehouse, La Ronge and Black Lake were facing.

“Our corporate responsibility staff were getting daily requests for help from their contacts in these communities. We had the capacity to help and we wanted to make sure we did what we could to protect them and acted fast,” said Wayne Summach, Cameco’s program manager, emergency preparedness and security.

On June 29th at 9 a.m., the corporate crisis management plan was activated and assembled key personnel from Cameco corporate headquarters and the northern mining operations to stickhandle the crisis together.

“We have a strong team of problem solvers who can get things done,” said Wayne. “Whether it’s an operation or transportation emergency, blockade or Mother Nature wreaking havoc, we have the expertise to cover all our bases to keep people and the environment safe, and to keep our operations running.”

In the case of the 2015 forest fires, this team included representatives from Cameco’s supply chain management, corporate responsibility and communications, SHEQ, human resources and legal departments, as well as representatives from each of the northern mine sites. Twice daily meetings, which included updates from the provincial Ministry of Environment and Sask. Highways, kept everyone informed of wildfire proximity, fire fighting progress, transport and flight delays, evacuation plans and road closures. Joint venture partner Areva, which has its own operations in the North, and trucking company NRT, which transports uranium and supplies for Cameco, also attended the team meetings.

Cameco provided Pinehouse a bulldozer and operator from Key Lake to create a firebreak, and a diesel generator to save the village store’s refrigerated goods.

By July 8, nearly 8,000 villagers were forced from their homes but due to road closures, over 100 were unable to access routes to Red Cross shelters. Cameco provided food and beds to these residents at the Key Lake camp for one night, until smoke cleared and they were able to join the other evacuees.

Meanwhile, Cameco site teams took proactive measures to set up sprinklers on the roofs of critical buildings and cleared bush to improve existing fireguards around Key Lake and Cigar Lake.

Once the threat to their physical safety had passed, Cameco considered the evacuees’ emotional wellbeing as well. With the help of partners, Cameco’s community investment team organized a travelling carnival that made stops at all five Red Cross shelters across the province. From Disney princesses to face painting to balloon artists, the carnivals were a major attraction for kids, and helped provide programming for the Red Cross as the evacuation period dragged on from days to weeks.

“This had a huge impact on our neighbours and I’m proud of how Cameco responded,” said Wayne. “With all the right people at the table and the best information available, we were able to manage a crisis effectively and in a timely manner. Our plan is tried, tested and true, but we can always improve. Each time we activate the plan, we gather more expertise and experience that we can use in the future.”