English River Supports Re-licensing For Cigar Lake

English River Supports Re-licensing For Cigar Lake

Friday, November 06, 2009 at 14:42

A First Nation located near Cameco’s Cigar Lake mine says it strongly supports Cameco’s efforts to remediate and resurrect the flooded mine.

English River First Nation Chief Ralph Paul spoke today at a Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearing in Saskatoon, where Cameco was applying to renew its construction license at Cigar Lake.

Paul says uranium mining is a beacon of light and says Cigar Lake provides his people with jobs they otherwise wouldn’t have.

He says mining means men, who have traditionally been providers, can feel good about themselves because they are once again providing for their families.

Paul notes that mining provides opportunities for people who are faced with many challenges, such as a high cost of living, poor roads, and few alternatives for jobs.

Cigar Lake flooded in 2006 and again in 2008.

Since then, Cameco has sealed off the area where the initial flooding happened, and continues to try to dewater the mine.