Thirty-five abandoned uranium mine and exploration sites are located around the Uranium City area. Ore was not processed at these mines, but was shipped to the uranium mills at Lorado and Eldorado. Because there are no tailings present, these mines are called satellite mines. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Committee does not require licensing of these sites because of their low nuclear inventory. However, the sites do pose public safety hazards and in some cases, have potential impacts on the environment.
In May 2021, the Satellite Sites project team submitted two remediation reports to the Ministry of Environment, a significant project milestone. These deliverables summarize the remediation activities completed at the legacy uranium mine sites. Out of 35 legacy uranium mines, 20 mines have now been remediated.
Remediation work will be ongoing at these sites for many years. This includes backfilling adits and deep trenches; sealing shafts, raises and other openings to the underground; demolishing buildings; cleaning up mining debris; and burying non-hazardous waste in waste rock. Hazardous materials will be shipped to licensed landfills. Radiation is measured at the sites, and risk mitigation measures are implemented whenever necessary to protect the public (e.g., covering the elevated radiation areas with clean soil). Unstable slopes are being re-contoured. The long-term stability of the underground area is assessed and access is restricted to ensure public safety.
The work season in northern Saskatchewan is short: from late May until mid-October. The remediation work can only be done when snow does not cover the mine openings and debris. Mobilization of materials to Uranium City is generally by ice road in late winter. Access to some sites is difficult over land or by water.
Completed bat-friendly stainless steel cap permanently closing the mine shaft at the former Meta Umisk Uranium Mine Site.
