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April 18th, 2011 - Aboriginal and Public Involvement Program – See the Reports
author: AREVA
One of the principles of AREVA’s Corporate Social Responsibility is to engage with the leadership of Aboriginal people, municipal representatives and the general public in a manner that recognizes their interest in AREVA’s business, to understand how AREVA’s operations may potentially affect their interests, and how their interests may be accommodated by AREVA. We are committed to working with the general public and Aboriginal people who are interested or may be potentially affected by our projects, so their rights are respected. To do this we are committed to interact with the public and Aboriginal people in a transparent manner, with mutual respect and honesty.
In keeping with the above commitments, we are pleased to provide our Aboriginal and Public Involvement Program (APIP) Strategy document as well as the related reports describing the content and results of our APIP during the first three phases of our public engagement efforts between Spring 2009 and Fall 2010. The APIP strategy and the reports can be reviewed and downloaded on this blog right in the download section.
If you have any questions and/or comments about these documents don’t hesitate to send them to us using the contact section on this blog.
March 23rd, 2011 - Fixing Up Highway Creek Bridge!
author: AREVA
While visiting with comunity leaders and members during 2010, we repetedly heard people identify a number of specific road improvement suggestions. One of these suggestions was that the bridge over Highway Creek, west of La Ronge on Highway #2, needed to be fixed up as it appeared to be “sagging”.
Our commitment to the community people we met in 2010 was that we would communicate all the concerns they raised about the roads to the officials at the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure – we kept that commitment. We brought community concerns to Ministry officials and to the Minister himself.
We were very pleased to discover in February 2011 that the Highway Creek bridge was being repaired to addressed the issues Northerners had identified. The efforts and hard work undertaken by the Department of Highways and Infrastructure to meet the residents of Northern Saskatchewan’s expectation are commandable. We would encourage Northerners to continue to communicate with us and with government officials to ensure that issues are brought forward and that highways and infrastructure work the way they were intended to.
As stewards of Saskatchewan’s North we all play a role in bringing improvements to the region.
January 19th, 2011 - Environmental Impact Statement Submitted to the Regulators
author: AREVA-admin
On January 10, 2011 we submitted our Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Receipt and Processing of McArthur River Ore at the McClean Lake Operation to the federal and provincial regulators. This EIS was prepared in response to the regulators’ Project-Specific Guidelines, as well as the feedback we received while travelling across Saskatchewan’s North last year. You can find a copy of the EIS main document and appendices as well as the Project-Specific Guidelines here. The EIS is now undergoing technical review by the regulators, and will also be sujbect to a formal public comment period. We will let you know on this blog as soon as the public comment period dates are made available by the regulators. In the meantime, we continue to welcome your input and feedback on this document and would be pleased to answer your questions.
You can post comments/questions here, email mcarthurtomcclean@areva.ca, or call the regulatory coordinator, Carolanne Inglis-McQuay at 306-343-4555.
December 21st, 2010 - The Best Drivers Around
author: AREVA-admin
Safety is one of our core values, and ensuring the public’s safety on the road is very important to us. One of the ways we can ensure road safety is by requiring that those that haul goods for us are some of the best drivers around. Many of the drivers have more kilometres on the northern roads than you and I will ever see, but at a minimum, these are some of the basic standards:
- Drivers must have a Class 1 A licence, long combination vehicle licence, 5 years or more of B-train experience and clean driver’s abstract
- Must take a Professional Driver Improvement Course every 4 years and an interactive training program using simulated driving scenarios
- Are trained with WHIMIS, radiation safety, uranium ore slurry product specifications and are certified in Transportation of Dangerous Goods
- Are required to stop every two hours as per standard operating procedures.
- Must try as best as possible to have only one truck on a bridge at one time
- Must slow down when meeting other vehicles on the road, including passenger vehicles
- Radio each other about road conditions and other vehicles on the road
Have you ever wanted to hop in a semi truck? Now is your chance – watch this video.
December 15th, 2010 - Just How Wide Are The Roads?
author: AREVA-admin
A common question people asked on our northern road show was, “are the roads wide enough for the trucks?” We have done our research, and can tell you yes, the roads are wide enough. To help you visualize the roads, we drew, to scale, trucks and local traffic passing each other on the roads. A particular point of concern was traffic on the Churchill River bridge. You’ll see that passing is still possible even when the road is 6.70 m wide. Semi trucks hauling goods to and from the mines and exploration sites are in constant communication and avoid crossing this bridge when other vehicles are on the bridge.
We want everyone to get home safely. The best way to ensure this, is by being a responsible driver and following the rules of the road. For a quick reminder of how to stay safe, watch this video.
October 28th, 2010 - We Still Want Your Opinion!
author: AREVA-admin
In September, we held a significant community tour, which involved open houses, meetings with First Nation, Métis and community leaders, and presentations to the high schools. We had some great dialogue with people who cam out to learn about the Project, ask questions, and raise concerns Comments are questions related to the conditions of public highways, contingency and emergency response, the proposed future direct link between McArthur River and McClean Lake, aboriginal and public involvement issues, and the environmental review process were raised. We have recorded what we heard. This information will be reported in our forthcoming environmental impact statement. This report will eventually be posted to this blog.
If you were not able to come out and meet us, there is still time to provide us with your comments and ask questions. You can post comments/questions here, email mcarthurtomcclean@areva.ca, or call the regulatory coordinator, Carolanne Inglis-McQuay at 306-343-4555.
October 1st, 2010 - Blog Technical Difficulties @ Open Houses
author: AREVA-admin
For those of you who joined us at one of our open houses in the north, you may remember that we had this blog available to you to read and submit comments. Unfortunately, due to some technical difficulties, your comments and/or questions submitted via the blog were lost. Â We will make sure this doesn’t happen next time.
We would really appreciate if you would take the time to once again type out your comments/questions so that we may provide you with some answers and record your comments. What you have to say is important to us.
September 28th, 2010 - Video Released: Sharing The Road Safely
author: AREVA-admin
If you came to one of our open houses, you’ve already seen our newest video production called Sharing The Road Safely. We reviewed some of the important rules of the road in a previous post and mentioned a video would be available soon. So, here it is. If you would like to watch the video in cree, click here, or if you would like to watch the video in dene, click here.
September 21st, 2010 - Taking off for the Basin
author: AREVA-admin
We have now had 10 open houses in the north, and today we are taking off for the basin for four more open houses. Â We will be setting up in the same open house style as in other locations. The schedule is below:
Stony Rapids from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Tuesday, September 21 at Stony Rapids Community Hall
Black Lake from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 21 at Father Porte Memorial Dene School
Fond Du Lac from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 22 at Father Gamache Memorial School
Wollaston from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Thursday, September 23 at Father Megret Memorial High School
September 14th, 2010 - North of La Ronge
author: AREVA-admin
We had open houses in La Ronge, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and Air Ronge last week. The busiest open house was La Ronge, but we received good comments and feedback from all of our sessions. We have been diligently recording comments and questions that we are being brought up. These records continue to help shape the Environmental Impact Statement and will be reported to different government agencies.
After a weekend off, we are back in the north. Today we went to Grandmother’s Bay and Stanley Mission. One of the most common themes we are hearing is related to road conditions. It is in AREVA’s best interest, for local and insutry traffic alike, to see that the road conditions are improved.
We will continue on this week holding open houses in a number of communities. We hope to see you at one of the following locations:
Southend from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Tuesday, September 14 at the Southend Youth Centre
Hall Lake from 9:00 am – 12:00pm on Wednesday, September 15 at the Band Hall
Pinehouse from 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 15 at Pinehouse Community Hall
Patuanak from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Thursday, September 15 at William Apesis Memorial Hall
Sucker River from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Friday, September 16 at Sucker River Community Hall
If you are unable to make these open houses, please be sure to ask questions on this blog.
September 8th, 2010 - AREVA is On The Road
author: AREVA-admin
A number of us from AREVA Resources arrived in La Ronge, SK last night. We are getting ready to begin the community consultations for the McArthur River Ore Haul project. We started today (Wednesday) with meetings with local-area councils. We are excited to begin our first set of open houses tomorrow. We will be at La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre on Wednesday from 10am until 3pm. We will spend Wednesday evening in Air Ronge at Elk’s Hall. Drop by between 5pm to 8pm.
Click here for the full schedule of open houses.
Are you thinking about attending one of our open houses, but you aren’t too sure about what to expect?
September 2nd, 2010 - Ore Slurry Containers: Built for Safety & Durability
author: AREVA-admin
The uranium ore slurry will be transported in specially-designed containers similar to those used during the past 10 years without incident between the McArthur River mine and the Key Lake mill. These containers withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, fire hazards, and traffic accidents. Their wall thickness serves as a barrier to radiation exposure and protects their contents.
What makes these containers so special?
These containers consist of a vessel, a complete steel outer structure/frame, and steel cladding on the outside of that. The frame is made out of 150x150x6 HSS steel (hollow structure section). The outer cladding is a 6 mm thick steel plate. The vessel has 16mm thick walls. The 16mm walls by itself is very thick; to put it in perspective, a holding tank in a uranium mill that would hold similar slurry, would have 6mm thick walls.
The below diagram shows the ore slurry container. The “x” markings you see is an area full of insulation.
The containers are designed to meet all national and international safety criteria. They have been through many tests to ensure that they will be leak and spill proof and limit potential radiation on the outside of the containers. Some of the tests they have gone through include:
- drop tests
- stacking tests
- heat, cold, and fire resistance tests
- pressure variation tests
- vibration tests
- acceleration tests
- closing devices, valves, nuts and bolts tests
If you have any other questions about these ore slurry containers, feel free to ask us or catch us on the road for the next three weeks in the north.
August 19th, 2010 - Open House Schedule
author: AREVA-admin
You’re invited to attend an open house to learn more about the proposed McArthur River Ore Haul to McClean Lake Mill Project. Come and enjoy some refreshments with us and meet our team. We will be happy to answer your questions and hear your comments on the proposed projects.
August 13th, 2010 - Northern Road Conditions
author: AREVA-admin
The network of roads in northern Saskatchewan is an important link for several northern communities. These roads are also critical for several mining and exploration operations that rely on the roads for transporting goods and products to and from the mine sites and exploration camps. In turn, the roads are shared by local traffic and mining trucks. One of the concerns we’ve heard with the McArthur River Ore Haul project is that people are worried about the conditions of the roads.
It is in our best interest to ensure the quality of the northern roads is maintained and improved. AREVA and Cameco will continue to contribute significantly every year to the Northern Highway Improvement Fund. We also work closely with the Ministry of Highways & Infrastructure to find ways to improve the roads. A few specific improvement initiatives that we are willing to talk to the Province about are:
August 5th, 2010 - Uranium Ore Slurry vs. Yellowcake
author: AREVA-admin
What is yellowcake? What is uranium ore slurry? And what’s the difference?
Yellowcake is uranium concentrate in the form of powder.
Ore slurry is ground uranium ore in the form of a thick paste.
So now you know that yellowcake is powder, and uranium ore slurry is paste. But what else is different? Yellowcake contains about 85% uranium, which is about four times the uranium that is present in uranium ore slurry from McArthur River.
The ore slurry eventually gets converted into yellowcake. In this project, for example, the uranium ore would leave the McArthur mine site in the form of uranium ore slurry. Once it arrives at McClean Lake, it would be processed at the mill into yellowcake.
Both the yellowcake and uranium ore slurry are transported on public roadways, but the containers that ship them are different. Yellowcake is transported in purpose-built barrels (as see in the above photo). Uranium ore slurry is transported in specially designed containers (right) that will withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, fire hazards, and traffic accidents. Their wall thickness serves as a barrier to radiation exposure and protects their contents.
Uranium ore slurry has been transported using similarly designed containers for the past 10 years without incident between the McArthur River mine and the Key Lake mill. Likewise, yellowcake has been safely transported in northern Saskatchewan for over 30 years. We are committed to continuing to transport uranium ore slurry and yellowcake safely.
July 29th, 2010 - Safely Sharing the Northern Roads
author: AREVA-admin
Driving on the northern roads is not the same as driving in the city or on a paved highway. Extra care and attention to safety is necessary to keep you, me, and everyone on the roads safe. Too often we are hearing stories of accidents on the roads – what makes it worse, is that they are almost always preventable. It may seem like some basic rules to follow, but because people know the roads so well, sometimes people forget about being safe.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you get home to your friends and family after driving in the north.
- Slow down: Speed is the biggest issue on the road. If you slow down, you will have more time to react and your vehicle will handle better when moving over. You are also likely to end up with a cracked windshield. The posted speed limit on the gravel roads is 80 km/hr, but if weather or road conditions aren’t perfect, drive slower.
- Do not pass any vehicle at the top of the a hill: If you need to pass, be sure to do it at a safe time. Do not pass when approaching a hill or at the top of the hill. There may be vehicles coming the opposite direction.
- Semi-Trucks will help you pass: If you are behind a semi-truck that you would like to pass, do not follow too close behind it. You will end up in a dust cloud and the truck driver will not be able to see you. If you stay far enough back, the truck driver will be able to see you and pull to the side and slow down when he or she thinks it is safe for you to pass.
- Stay on your side of the road: The roads are wide enough for vehicles to encounter each other, but be sure to not ride the centre of the road. If an oncoming vehicle appears you or they may not have enough time to move to your side.
- Do not drink and drive: If you have consumed alcohol and need to get somewhere, make alternative arrangements for transportation. Or, just don’t go.
Truck drivers are trained, cautious, and have an excellent safety record. They have friends and family to get home to, and so do you. Please help everyone be safer on the roads by following the five tips. We will be releasing a video next month so you can hear from truck drivers themselves on how everyone can be safer on the roads.
July 23rd, 2010 - Meet Glenn – and find out where to find him!
author: AREVA
AREVA Resources Canada has had an office in La Ronge since 1994. This office and the people in it have always been an important part of being available to residents of the north. Last month, the AREVA office moved, so we thought we would tell you where the new place is, and who you might find working there. Okay, maybe you don’t need directions to the new office, since it’s only a few doors down from the old one, but in case you didn’t even know we had an office in La Ronge, it’s located at 519 La Ronge Avenue.
Before you stop by, let us introduce Glenn Lafleur, AREVA Resources’ Northern Affairs Supervisor!
July 16th, 2010 - Environmental & Radiation Protection
author: AREVA-admin
When talking to people about this project, we have heard concerns about the environment, often specific to radiation. We want you to know that the environment and radiation protection is a top priority for AREVA. We have, in all of our operations, treated these very seriously.
As such, environment and radiation protection measures have been developed to minimize any effects.
Radiation assessments considered several different scenarios where members of the public may encounter ore slurry trucks, such as:
July 9th, 2010 - The Faces of High Grade Haulers
author: AREVA-admin
The McArthur River ore to McClean project involves transporting ore slurry from McArthur River about 950 kilometers to McClean Lake. To help you learn about transportation in the mining industry and to show you what the drive is like, we jumped in a few semi trucks with some great Northern Resource Trucking (NRT) employees.
If you haven’t seen HIGH GRADE HAULERS, watch part one and two here:
These are some of the faces of High Grade Haulers:
Lloyd, Safety & Compliance Manager
Lloyd drives the northern roads to make sure NRT’s team of drivers are driving safely. He was great to ride with because he knows the ins and outs of training, safety, regulations, in the trucking industry.
June 24th, 2010 - Public Consultation – Be Heard
author: AREVA-admin
As part of the environmental assessment process, AREVA will be holding meetings with First Nations, Métis and municipal leadership in the communities along the haul route as well as across the Athabasca Basin in September 2010. AREVA will also be hosting open house forums for the general public during that time. These meetings will enable AREVA and the residents to discuss all aspects of the project. They will offer the residents another opportunity to ask questions, voice their opinions and provide recommendations.
Open house forums are scheduled for:
- September 8-9 in La Ronge
- September 13-17 in communities along the haul route, including Pinehouse, Hall Lake, Sucker River, Stanley Mission and Southend
In the second half of September, AREVA will host open house forums in the Athabasca Basin communities of Uranium City, Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Wollaston Lake and Hatchet Lake.
Stay tuned for more details on when we will be where so you can be heard.
June 23rd, 2010 - Project Blog Launched!
author: AREVA-admin
We are excited to announce the official launch of the “McArthur to McClean” blog. This blog will be used as a way to communicate with all of our stakeholders. We will update you with project news, events, and will answer your questions. Let us explain a few features of this blog:
1) Calendar: We visit and meet with many of the communities in which we operate. We host and attend many events – some are for consultation purposes, others are just general involvement – regardless, we want you to be able to keep up with events.
2) Contact: We know you have questions, so you can ask them here. We will do our best to provide you with an answer as soon as possible. If it is a good question, we will post it to the Q&A section (below). We will remove your name. We will also be monitoring posts for other questions/comments and will do our best to participate when it seems appropriate.