Chris Astles, general manager of the Cameco Corporation uranium refinery and Blind River’s largest employer, is predicting the company will hire about 35 new employees this year.
Astles made the prediction at the company’s annual update on the refinery’s performance to Blind River council at its meeting Monday evening and to the community. The prediction comes despite the current record low price of uranium.
He also said the company forecast is to increase uranium production from 18,000 tons annually to 24,000 tons, refining uranium concentrates.
“We receive concentrates from all over the world which is quite interesting because of the changing times with the industry and the low price of uranium,” he said. “Blind River has become a very significant focus in the uranium industry.”
The result in the lower uranium prices has resulted in a Cameco competitor in the United States to close down refining operations. Additionally, a French-owned operation is undergoing refurbishing.
“In reality there’s only two conversion facilities in what’s considered the free world,” he added.
The refurbishing of the French operation has meant that Cameco is receiving the bulk of concentrate for refining.
“All uranium from around the world is now coming to Blind River,” the general manager said. “Hence our production numbers have increased this year and the years going forward.”
The local plant is located adjacent to the town golf course and is situated on the Mississauga River and Lake Huron on a Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licensed 28-acre site within a 608-acre control zone adjacent to Mississauga First Nation land.
Astles joked that the company leased the nine-hole golf course to the town for $1 but is now considering a lease arrangement of $2 for its current 18-hole course.
“The town is in arrears so maybe now it’s time to foreclose on the operation,” he joked.
The general manager went through how the refining is done and transportation of the uranium UA-3 powder to a facility in Port Hope in preparation for use in nuclear reactors.
“We are committed to keeping our risks as low as possible,” he added. “Our focus is to prevent injury, ill health and pollution,” he added. “We have to fulfil and meet our regulatory requirements.”
The company constantly monitors air and water emissions and has seen reports well below regulatory requirements. Cameco can also boast a 12-year achievement for performance with no lost time accidents.
The company has received the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green award for seven years acknowledging the same accomplishment. Astles said the company will soon reach its 13-year achievement.
“We are committed to safety with our employees, contractors and students. We have a highly engaged workforce with low turnover.”
The company will start new licensing agreement negotiations with the regulator and hopes to have a new 10-year agreement in place by 2021.
In the community, Cameco and its employees are known for its donations to various groups, the First Nation and Blind River and its work with local groups. It co-sponsors the annual, popular Easter Egg Hunt together with the local Girl Guides, hosts a seniors’ Christmas party and employees host an annual Cameco Cares clean-up day which will take place this Thursday with about 100 employees taking part.
The company has donated an aerial ladder fire truck to Blind River, a school bus for the First Nations community and helps with the annual food drive for the Food Bank and offers donations to local schools in graduation awards and playground equipment. Employees have their own groups that they donate to each year. Donations have been made for the Blind River hospital and hospitals in Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie and to the local library in town.
“It is paramount for us to maintain a strong, safe environmental performance,” he said. “We are committed to our workforce with training and support. We do over 10,000 hours in training with an annual cost of $1 million.”
“We want the support of the community, we want to support the community,” Astles noted.
“Our future outlook is encouraging,” he added.
Astles urged residents to look at the Cameco website to see what the company is doing.
“All I can say this is you're Santa Claus without the beard and a lot of great helpers,” Councillor Clifford Spratt said summing up the accolades the company received from council members.
Mayor Sally Hagman said that many surrounding municipalities she has dealt with are envious of Cameco’s community commitment.