Overview -

Keywords   Canada   uranium   underground

McArthur River is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit. It is located in northern Saskatchewan, 620 kilometres north of Saskatoon. The mine was discovered in 1988 beneath 500 metres of sandstone at McArthur River. The property consists of 21 claims and 1 lease totaling 84,818 hectares.

McArthur River is an underground mine that began operating in 1999. It is the world's most productive uranium mine, contributing approximately 20% of total global uranium mining production. The mine has a life expectancy of more than 20 years with a production capacity of 18.7 million pounds of uranium per year. There are proven and probable reserves of 437 million pounds of U₃O₈.

McArthur River is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit.

Ore is recovered using the raisebore mining method. Ore is ground to a slurry, pumped to the surface to tanks and stored until it is loaded into specially designed containers for the 80- km truck haul to Key Lake processing plant. At Key Lake, a specifically designed unloading facility receives the ore. Ore from McArthur is blended for processing with low-grade ore stockpiled at Key Lake.

Ownership Summary  Name: Cameco Corporation    Interest: 69.8%    Note: public  Name: Cogema Resources Inc.    Interest: 30.2%    Note: other Reference: 31 Dec 2005

McArthur River and Key Lake together employ over 600 people. More than half the employees are residents of northern Saskatchewan. The mine is operated by Cameco.