Peter Kent, the federal minister of environment, announced that the proposed mining and milling of the Midwest project is unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental effects as long as the mitigation measures and follow-up programs described in the comprehensive study report are carried out. He has referred the project back to the responsible authorities – the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada – for appropriate action.
The Midwest project is located some 15km west of the McClean Lake operation. It has indicated resources of 42.9 million pounds U3O8 at an average ore grade of 5.5%. The project involves development of the Midwest ore deposit as an open pit mine; development of a dedicated haul road linking the Midwest development with the existing McClean Lake operation; and increasing the production capacity of the JEB mill at McClean Lake to accommodate the planned rate for milling of the Midwest ore.