An investigation is underway by Cameco to determine how 50,000 liters of uranium concentration leaked into the ground at its Key Lake operation last year.

“In December we reported to our regulators that our routine monitoring of groundwater near an on-site mill building showed an increasing trend in uranium concentration in one area,”  Cameco spokeswoman Carey Hyndman said in a statement.

“Groundwater moves extremely slowly and the uranium is localized to the mill area. The uranium is not affecting nearby lakes or any water used for drinking.”

Hyndman says a corrective action plan is being developed as Cameco works with the Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

“Cameco is completing a root cause investigation to determine how the leak happened and to prevent such incidents from happening in the future,” Hyndman explained. “We are also keeping local communities informed, although this water is not used for drinking by Cameco or any members of the public.”