This article is about the uranium mine in Canada. For the lead-zinc mine in Australia, see McArthur River zinc mine. For the uranium mines in the McArthur Basin in Australia, see Ranger Uranium Mine.
In 2012, McArthur River was the world's largest producing uranium mine, accounting for 13% of world mine production.[1] Canada, as a whole, produces 15% of the world's uranium production.
History
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.[2] 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.[3] 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 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]
Reserves
McArthur River Uranium Mine aerial view
As of December 31, 2017, the mine had Proven and Probable Reserves of 391.9×106 pounds (1.778×108 kg), with an average grade of 6.89% U3O8.[7] At an average yearly production rate of 16.1×106 pounds (7.3×106 kg) this gives a calculated range of roughly 24 years.
Scale
Given that much of the uranium recovered here goes to fuel CANDU reactors which can forgo uranium enrichment, it is possible to calculate a heating value for the uranium mined at this mine. At a typical burnup of 200 MWhthermal per kilo of heavy metal[8] The yearly production of roughly 16.1×106 pounds (7.3×106 kg) U3O8 is equivalent to roughly 6.2 kilotonnes (6,100 long tons; 6,800 short tons) of uranium metal and per the above burnup value some 4.46 exajoules (1.24×1012 kWh) (or the equivalent of 1.066 gigatonnes of TNT (4.46 EJ)) of thermal energy can be produced from this much uranium in CANDU type reactors. For comparison, the North Antelope Rochelle Mine, formerly the largest coal mine in the world, produces some 100 megatonnes (98,000,000 long tons; 110,000,000 short tons) of coal per year at a heating value of 8,800 British thermal units per pound (20,000 kJ/kg) for an overall heat content of roughly 2.047 exajoules (5.69×1011 kWh).
Access
The mine is serviced by the McArthur River Airport to the northeast. It is also connected to the south by a restricted access haulage road. According to Google Maps, this road is Saskatchewan Highway 914, however the official 2011 highway map of Saskatchewan indicates that 914 terminates at a checkpoint at Key Lake mine, while the road that continues to McArthur is not a public highway (owned by Cameco) and does not appear on maps.
Safety
During the most hazardous mining operations, remote controlled underground mining systems in this mine[9][10] are used to reduce personnel exposure to rock particulates, radon gas, and other hazards.[11] A video detailing the operations at the mine is provided by Cameco.[12]
