The Rabbit Lake story

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 82, No. 932, 1989

M.R. Babcock, Vice-President—Mining, Cameco

The Rabbit Lake story began in the late sixties and will continue -well into the twenty-first century. It is a story of success, of multiple ore body discoveries, of unique systems, and new methods made possible through innovative and state-of-the-art design. Two quite different geological systems host the five ore bodies mined, or slated to be mined. These two systems have yielded two distinct ore types, each with characteristic minera-logicalproperties and each requiring its own specific mill circuit. Emphasis on communications and our unique systems have led to a satisfactory and fulfilling work environment resulting in the historically low employee turnover which has contributed to the operation success. A comprehensive environmental study after twelve years of operation has given the Rabbit Lake Operation a completely clean bill of health.

Keywords: Uranium, Rabbit Lake energy, Open pit mining, Mill operation, Mine operation.