A group of Ignace representatives has returned from Saskatchewan after touring the Came co uranium mine.
The delegation was hosted by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, which provided an opportunity for the Ignace group to learn about the underground mine located at McArthur River and the impact the mine has on the municipality of Pinehouse and the English River First Nation. They also met with SaskPower officials. The McArthur River and Key Lake area, which are located in northern Saskatchewan, is the site of the world’s largest high-grade uranium mine and mill.
The aim of the trek was to learn about the regulatory and safety standards associated with the mines and surrounding communities, and understand engagement and public support components of the process undertaken by the nuclear industry in Saskatchewan.
Jake Pastore, president of Summit PCG, told The Chronicle-Journal, that the importance of community engagement, public support, duty to consult with First Nations, willingness, and the ongoing communications about nuclear development in Saskatchewan were paramount to its successful implementation.
“They had a very interesting story of how they got to that point where they’ve signed an agreement and now they’ve been able to set up 23 independent businesses that are owned by the English River First Nation to service the mines and service the industry in northern Saskatchewan,” Pastore said.
“(For Ignace), there’s a lot of ‘ifs’ that have to happen before we get to where they’re actually chosen for a deep geological repository (DGR). There’s still a willingness to go through and Wabigoon Lake First Nation still has to go through their process.”
He added that once they get there, they will be able to look at some of the things that will help Ignace take advantage of every business opportunity that they can to move forward.
Ignace Mayor Kim Baigrie called the attention to employee safety and industry regulations for the well-being of communities surrounding their facilities “overwhelming.”
“Our ability to meet with and address both the challenges and economic opportunities that arise from the nuclear industry were definite takeaways for the Ignace group, that we as a community must also consider and potentially capture if we indeed become a willing host community for the (deep geological repository) project in our area,” Baigrie said.
Ignace Coun. Jodi Defeo was part of the group and said the impact and benefit agreements in place with the nuclear industry partners and their host communities demonstrate the balance between social, economic and environmental stewardship.
“This experience provided us with a first-hand overview of the nuclear cycle beginning with the mining operations for high-grade uranium, the safety standards and regulations around the process, and the potential of clean energy utilization, as well as the future requirement for the storage of used nuclear fuel,” Defeo said. “We were able to gauge the importance of the social and economic impacts of the nuclear industry working with both communities and First Nation partners in a cohesive and collaborative manner.”
