Rabbit Lake mine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rabbit Lake is the second largest uranium milling facility in the western world, and is the longest operating uranium production facility in Saskatchewan. The facility is located approximately 800 km north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on the northeast edge of the uranium rich Athabasca Basin. The closest community is Wollaston Lake, about 40 kilometers by lake or air. Rabbit Lake was the first Canadian mine to offer a seven-days-in/seven-days-out commuter system of staffing.
Contents |
[edit] Operations
The Rabbit Lake deposit was discovered in 1968 and production started in 1975 using open-pit mining methods. The Rabbit Lake pit was mined out in 1984. Exploration resulted in the discovery of additional deposits in the area.
| Rabbit Lake Deposits | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Discovered | Commenced | Depleted | Comments |
| Rabbit Lake | 1968 | 1975 | 1984 | |
| Collins Bay A-zone | 1971 | 1995 | 1997 | |
| Collins Bay B-zone | 1977 | 1985 | 1991 | |
| Collins Bay D-zone | 1979 | 1995 | 1996 | |
| Eagle Point | 1980 | 1994 | - | Production hiatus from 1998 to 2002 due to depressed uranium prices. |
The Eagle Point deposit is being mined using underground mining methods. Significant recent drilling results have extended mine life to 2011.
As of December 31, 2007, proven and probable reserves are 644,800 tonnes at 1.14% U3O8. (16.2 Million pounds)
When the Cigar Lake Mine begins production, the Rabbit Lake mill will process about half of the ore from that mine.
[edit] Awards
In 2000 Rabbit Lake mine was awarded the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's John T. Ryan trophy for the best safety record for metal mines in Canada for that year.
[edit] Ownership
100% owned and operated by Cameco Corporation.
