Inflows in uranium mines of northern Saskatchewan: Risks and mitigation

CIM Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2013

R. Bashir Golder Associates, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Department of Civil & Geological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK J. F. Hatley Cameco Corporation, Saskatoon, SK

Northern Saskatchewan boasts some of the world's largest known high-grade uranium deposits.  The successful mining of these deposits cannot be accomplished without overcoming technical challenges, however, which include high grade of the uranium ore, specialized mining methods to deal with groundwater at high pressures, and poor ground conditions.  This paper discusses the various mechanisms of inflows at three of Cameco Corporation’s sites in northern Saskatchewan.  The risk of inflows is quantified in terms of unique challenges due to hydrogeological conditions, rock mass integrity, and uncertainty in geological conditions.  Mitigation strategies in case of an inflow are also briefly described