Cameco Begins Pumping Out Water At Cigar Lake

Cameco Begins Pumping Out Water At Cigar Lake

Friday, July 04, 2008 at 13:20

 

 

Crews at the Cigar Lake uranium operation have begun to pump water out of its flooded underground.

 

The company recently received approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to begin pumping water out.

 

Cameco spokeman Lyle Krahn says the work began on Canada Day.

 

A rockfall caused a massive flood inside the mine in October 2006.

 

Krahn says it is possible the dewatering process could be completed before winter.

 

He stresses all of the water that’s pumped out will go into a treatment plant.

 

Krahn says once all of the water is out, crews will inspect the mine to make sure everything is structurally sound.

 

Production won’t likely begin until 2011 at the earliest.