Group wants to see testing on three northern Cameco mines

An environmental group is standing up against Cameco’s application to renew its license for three northern mines.

The Sierra Club held a news conference in Saskatoon on Wednesday where they announced they want to see an environmental assessment done on the mines before the application is approved. According to the club, the levels of cadmium and uranium in one of Cameco’s tailing facilities exceed Saskatchewan’s standards.

“We would like to see an environmental impact assessment before any new licenses are issued and also a health impact study,” Sierra Club Canada’s executive director, John Bennett said.

Bennett said the study he’d like to see would involve more than just statistics, but actual do local samples with people and in different environments that would give a “good assessment of what effects these mines have had on the local population and wildlife in the area.”

Cameco said the Sierra Club’s measurements are done before the water is treated, and doesn’t accurately reflect the real levels of cadmium and uranium. Cameco said they follow all government requirements.