Saskatchewan’s uranium industry is back in full swing with the resumption of operations at the McClean Lake mine and mill, Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said Tuesday.
The site, a joint venture between Orano Canada and Denison Mines, recently reopened after a period of downtime. Minister Young toured the facilities alongside Orano representatives, discussing the mine’s restart and future plans to expand uranium production.
“Saskatchewan is leading the way in providing the world with responsibly sourced uranium,” Young said. “The restart of uranium mining at McClean Lake, utilizing innovative mining methods, will add to our record production and sales, support sustainable employment for northern residents, and strengthen our position as a key player in the global energy supply chain.”
Orano Canada Vice President Tammy Van said the company is focused on innovation and community involvement. “We were pleased to welcome the Minister and staff to showcase the ingenuity and dedication of Orano employees and contractors,” Van said. “We are enthusiastic about the future of nuclear in Saskatchewan, and we are glad to see that the provincial government shares that positive outlook.”
Saskatchewan’s uranium sector posted record results in 2024, with sales reaching $2.6 billion, surpassing the province’s Growth Plan target of $2 billion by 2030. Uranium production hit 16.7 thousand tonnes, up 28 per cent from 2023, keeping Saskatchewan as the world’s second-largest uranium producer.
The province recently added uranium to its Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive to encourage early-stage hard-rock mineral projects. Saskatchewan is projected to attract over $7 billion in mining investment in 2025, with the province expected to account for 15 per cent of all Canadian mineral exploration spending, well ahead of its 2030 targets.
Minister Young thanked McClean Lake staff for the tour and invited further inquiries regarding the site and its operations.