McArthur River uranium mine
Uranium deposit in Saskatchewan, Canada / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about McArthur River uranium mine?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
The McArthur River Uranium Mine, in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, is the world's largest high-grade uranium deposit.
Location | |
---|---|
Location | Athabasca Basin |
Province | Saskatchewan |
Country | Canada |
Coordinates | 57°45′40″N 105°03′06″W |
Production | |
Products | Yellowcake (U3O8) |
Production | 16.1×106 pounds (7.3×106 kg) |
Financial year | 2017 |
History | |
Discovered | 1988 |
Opened | 1999 |
Active | 1999–2018 |
Owner | |
Company | Cameco (70%) Orano Canada (30%) |
The McArthur River deposit was discovered in 1988. The property is located 620 kilometres (390 mi) as the crow flies north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and 80 kilometres (50 mi) northeast of the Key Lake mill in the uranium rich Athabasca Basin. Mine construction began in 1997, with production commencing in 1999.[1] The mine achieved full commercial production in November 2000. Production is regulated at 18.7×106 pounds (8.5×106 kg) of yellowcake a year with the ore being processed through the Key Lake mill.
Between 2000 and 2013, the McArthur River/Key Lake operation produced 250.6×106 pounds (1.137×108 kg) U3O8.[2] This production figure includes blended low grade stockpiles from the former Key Lake mine as well as ore derived from the McArthur River mine. Ignoring the fact that 2000 mostly saw a ramp-up to full scale production and the effect of the Key Lake mine ore, this averages to roughly 17.9×106 pounds (8.1×106 kg) yearly production or some 96% of the above-mentioned 18.7 million pound per year limit.
In 2012, McArthur River was the world's largest producing uranium mine, accounting for 13% of world mine production.[3] Canada, as a whole, produces 15% of the world's uranium production.
In July 2018, citing continued low uranium prices, Cameco suspended McArthur River/Key Lake operations and placed the mine on care and maintenance.[4] As of April 2020[update], the mine remains under care and maintenance.[5] On February 9, 2022, Cameco announced it would reopen the mine.[6]