IGNACE – The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has announced they are preparing to send a delegation of willing residents to tour a uranium mine in the spring.
“These opportunities to view and learn more about the DGR project that is being proposed for our own community are invaluable to us," said Mayor Kim Baigrie in a release.
"At the end of the day when we collectively must make a final decision about our willingness to participate in such a project, it will be these types of experiences and educational opportunities that will ultimately guide our discussions and decisions at the local level."
Baigrie said the tour would be a good opportunity to gain some knowledge about the “initial stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as learning more about safety and community mitigation at that level.”
According to the township, the delegation is expected to meet with the community of McArthur River/Key Lake and First Nation officials while touring the mining site.
“The Cigar Lake uranium deposit has many features, including clay deposits, that parallel those in the proposed DGR," said Joanne Jacyk, NWMO site director.
"The natural structures and processes have been studied internationally for decades, and the main feature is that there is no indication of the uranium at the surface, proving that radionuclides can be contained within favourable geological formations for up to billions of years."
The township is asking those interested in participating in the tour to submit a letter to the municipal office no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
The letter should include answers to the following questions:
- Why do you believe that you should be selected to join the Ignace delegation to a Cameco mine in Saskatchewan?
- How will you share your experiences from this trip with the community, your neighbours, your family, and friends?
- Do you agree to participate in a public information forum and other events when you return from Saskatchewan?
The municipality said senior staff will be reviewing each candidate and submitting a ranked list to council for their review.
A final decision is expected to be made by Feb. 20.
