Alberta Firm Approached About Mine Clean-up

Alberta Firm Approached About Mine Clean-up

Friday, January 16, 2004 at 15:34

The provincial government has apparently uncovered another potential partner to help in the clean-up of abandoned uranium mines in Northern Saskatchewan.

A government spokesman has identified the potential partner as Encana, which is an Alberta-based energy company.

Encana took over the company that once owned the Laredo mine, which is one of the mines sites still needing to be decomissioned.

The companies that once ran the abandoned mines in the 1950s and 60s have either folded or been acquired by other companies, including Encana, and Northern Affairs minister Buckley Belanger hopes they can be convinced to help with the estimated 30-million-dollar price tag.

Belanger says it remains to be seen what role or responsibility the company is willing to accept, but does say talks with the company so far have been positive.

A federal cabinet minister earlier this week re-ignited hope that the federal government might also help with the clean-up.

Last year, Ottawa backed out of those talks.