Orano Canada Inc
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CMD 19-H3.1 File / dossier : 6.01.07 Date: 2019-03-15 Edocs: 5838946 Written submission from Mémoire d’ Orano Canada Inc. Orano Canada Inc. In the Matter of the À l’égard d’ Orano Canada Inc. – Cluff Lake Project Orano Canada Inc. – Projet de Cluff Lake Application for the renewal of the Uranium Demande de renouvellement du permis Mine Decommissioning Licence for the de déclassement de la mine d’uranium de Cluff Lake Project Cluff Lake Commission Public Hearing Audience publique de la Commission May 15, 2019 Le 15 mai 2019 This page was intentionally Cette page a été intentionnellement left blank laissée en blanc Orano Canada Inc. Cluff Lake Project CNSC Commission Member Document Date Submitted: March 15, 2019 One Day Public Hearing Scheduled for May 15, 2019 Request for a Licensing Decision: Renew and Amend Decommissioning Licence UMDL-MINEMILL-CLUFF.01/2019 March 2019 Executive Summary The Cluff Lake Project commenced mining and milling operations in 1980 and over a 22-year operating life mined five ore bodies and produced 28 million kilograms of uranium concentrate (U3O8) and 8,000 troy ounces of gold. Following a comprehensive environmental assessment and licensing process, including extensive public engagement, regulatory approval for decommissioning was granted in 2004 with agreed end-state decommissioning objectives. Physical decommissioning works to achieve long-term decommissioning objectives were completed by 2006. Over the last Cluff Lake licence term, the remaining minor physical decommissioning works were completed and the achievement of decommissioning objectives was demonstrated. Continuous site occupancy ended in 2013 accompanied by a program to decommission infrastructure that had remained in support of on-site monitoring and maintenance crews, and minor remedial works to prepare the site for open public access. In the summers of 2017 and 2018, final earthworks were conducted to ready the site for eventual transfer to the Province of Saskatchewan under the Institutional Control Program (ICP). The Cluff Lake Project marks an important transition in uranium mining. At the beginning of the operations phase, Cluff Lake did not have the full benefit of decommissioning lessons learned in Canada as no previous uranium mine had been successfully decommissioned and standards for decommissioning were in their infancy. The Cluff Lake Project has benefitted from continuity of ownership throughout its entire life cycle, despite name changes from AMOK to COGEMA to AREVA to Orano. The Cluff Lake Project may be considered the first decommissioned uranium mine site of its era in Saskatchewan. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Comprehensive Study Report in 2003 described the effects of decommissioning as largely positive. Decommissioning involved the removal or stabilization of constructed structures and the reclamation of disturbed areas. Orano’s key objective was to remove, minimize, or control potential contaminant sources and thereby minimize the potential for adverse environmental effects associated with the decommissioned property. Decommissioning was designed to minimize the need for care and maintenance activities and long-term institutional controls taking into consideration socio-economic factors. The objectives for decommissioning have been achieved. Orano has requested that the Commission amend and renew the Cluff Lake Licence for a 5-year term. While retaining CNSC regulatory oversight, the requested amendments administratively prepare for transfer of the Cluff Lake site to the Provincial ICP. The requested amendments reduce the licenced activity, eliminate aspects no longer necessary, acknowledge completion of decommissioning activities, delineate the remaining area requiring future administrative controls, and adjust the required financial guarantee. Although Orano intends to progress quickly towards transferring the Cluff Lake property into the ICP, we acknowledge that additional time is needed for responsible parties to review and accept the long-term monitoring and maintenance plans and associated establishment of institutional control funds prior to transfer into the ICP. Orano Canada Inc. CNSC Commission Member Document Cluff Lake Project Page i One Day Public Hearing Scheduled for May 15, 2019 March 2019 Executive Summary Orano has a strong record of public engagement extending to the pre-mining period. Throughout the decommissioning and post-decommissioning periods, Orano has engaged with local stakeholders to understand their needs and is proud to have been able to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes with key land users. The sufficiency of the Tailings Management Area engineered cover is an important aspect of the successful decommissioning of the site and has been a topic of sustained interest of a community member. Consequently, Orano contracted a review of the studies and evaluations used to both select the Tailings Management Area cover design and assess the current and anticipated long-term performance of the facility. The review is provided as an appendix to this Commission Member Document. Orano Canada Inc. CNSC Commission Member Document Cluff Lake Project Page ii One Day Public Hearing Scheduled for May 15, 2019 March 2019 Executive Summary Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ i 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Decommissioned Cluff Lake Project Overview ................................................................................................ 1-2 1.2.1 Decommissioning Milestones during Current Licence ......................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Licence History ................................................................................................................................................. 1-6 1.3.1 Summary of Commission Decisions ..................................................................................................... 1-7 1.4 Socioeconomics, Community, Land Use ......................................................................................................... 1-8 1.5 Licence Documentation .................................................................................................................................... 1-9 1.5.1 Licensee ............................................................................................................................................... 1-9 1.5.2 Current Licence and Approval .............................................................................................................. 1-9 2 Licence Renewal and Amendment Application ................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Licence Renewal for Five-Year Term ............................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Licence Amendment – Modernize .................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Licensed Activities ................................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.2 Operational and Active Decommissioning Sections ............................................................................. 2-2 2.3 Licence Amendment - Authorized Effluent Discharge Limits ........................................................................... 2-2 2.4 Licence Amendment – Detailed Post-Decommissioning Plan ......................................................................... 2-2 2.4.1 Decommissioning Works Completed in Licence Term ......................................................................... 2-3 2.4.1.1 2013 Works Summary ............................................................................................................. 2-3 2.4.1.2 2017/18 Works Summary ........................................................................................................ 2-4 2.4.2 Status of Decommissioning Planning Envelopes ................................................................................. 2-5 2.4.3 Uncertainties Resolved by Follow-up Program .................................................................................... 2-9 2.4.4 Decommissioning Objectives ............................................................................................................... 2-9 2.4.4.1 Achievement of Decommissioning Objectives ....................................................................... 2-10 2.5 Licence Amendment –Location of Licensed Activities ................................................................................... 2-25 2.5.1 Parcels of Land Included .................................................................................................................... 2-25 2.5.2 Parcels of Land Removed .................................................................................................................. 2-26 2.6 Commission Acceptance – Financial Guarantee ........................................................................................... 2-30 3 Performance during Licence Period ..................................................................................