The approval also allows Areva to enhance production at the McClean Lake mill to 5,900t of uranium concentrate a year, up from the current from 3,600t.
This license advances Areva’s goal to restart the McClean Lake mill and begin processing Cigar Lake ore.
The company will now process uranium ore produced from the Cigar Lake mine, claimed to be the second largest high-grade uranium deposit with a capacity to produce over 100kg of uranium for each ton of ore.
Operated by Canadian Uranium Company Cameco, the mine is scheduled to begin operations later in 2013.
The McClean Lake mill is also capable of receiving and processing ore from the McArthur River mine.
McClean Lake mill can process very high-grade ore without dilution and is expected to produce 10,900t of uranium concentrate per annum at full capacity.
