Yeelirrie Receives WA Environmental Approval

January 16, 2017

Western Australia’s Liberal National Government has granted environmental approval for Cameco Australia Pty Ltd.’s Yeelirrie Uranium Project.

Cameco Australia Managing Director Brian Reilly welcomed the decision, saying it strikes the right balance between strong environmental management and positive economic benefits.

“We think this approval is a good outcome for the Project and a good outcome for the community,” Reilly said.

“Cameco Australia is committed to minimizing environmental impacts from its operations while at the same time maximizing benefits for nearby communities and the state. The Government’s approval of Yeelirrie recognizes this commitment.”

The approval of the Project is subject to 17 conditions, including two conditions that specifically address the management of subterranean fauna at Yeelirrie. 

“We believe that with further sampling, investigation and research as outlined in the project conditions, subterranean fauna can be appropriately managed at Yeelirrie,” said Reilly. 

“The work at Yeelirrie will also contribute to a better scientific understanding of subterranean fauna more broadly across Western Australia.”

Cameco Australia is taking prudent steps to prepare the Yeelirrie project for improved market conditions.

“We are advancing Yeelirrie through the environmental assessment process so that we are ready to respond when the market signals a need for more uranium,” Reilly said.

“The State Government’s environmental approval is a significant step forward for the project”.

Yeelirrie is 100 per cent owned by Cameco Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Cameco Corporation, one of the world’s largest uranium producers.  The uranium deposit is estimated to contain total measured and indicated resources of 127.3 million pounds (36,640 thousand tonnes at 0.16% U₃O₈).

Profile

Cameco is one of the world’s largest uranium producers, with operations in Canada, America, Asia and Australia. Through subsidiaries, the company has been actively exploring for uranium in Australia since 1996 and is involved in a number of projects across the country, including two of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits, Kintyre and Yeelirrie. Cameco’s uranium products are used to generate clean electricity in nuclear energy plants around the world. Cameco's shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

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Amanda Walker
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