Cameco announced a suspension of operations Monday at Cigar Lake amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Cameco.com)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

covid-19

Local representatives respond to shuttering of Cigar Lake mine

Mar 24, 2020 | 4:20 PM

Cameco’s decision to halt production at its Cigar Lake mine is being applauded by local leadership.

The Saskatoon-based mining company made the announcement Monday afternoon. The company said the decision was made to protect against the threat of COVID-19.

Hatchet Lake First Nation Chief Bart Tsannie said he supports the decision to halt productions to protect workers and communities against the virus.

“It’s a precaution for the families here and all around the province. I think it’s a good move for people to be at home,” he said.

The chief estimated around 20 or more people from his community work at Cigar Lake and McClean Lake operations, which were also suspended. Tsannie said he is personally concerned about the virus and called for people to come together to deal with it. He stressed many need to listen to the advice they’re being given.

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“Please abide by what’s been brought up by the leadership,” he said.

Geoff Gay, CEO of Athabasca Basin Development Corporation, which owns a number of companies that provide services to the Cigar Lake mine, said they were not able to say how many workers would be affected by the change in operations.

“Each of the management teams will learn what the effects are to their specific company. They’ll adjust their book of business based on what the requirements are from Cameco and Orano,” he said.

Gay added they will have a better idea of how many workers are affected in the next few days as they find out what the needs of the mine will be when it is placed into safe care and maintenance. He was not able to provide comment on what specific supports to workers will be.

Athabasca Basin Development, which is jointly owned by seven communities in the North, provides a range of services to the mine from security to construction.

Gay said pausing operations at the mine will not just have an impact on northern communities but will likely be felt all over the province. However, he explained given the situation surrounding COVID-19, safety needs to come first and they support the decision.

“This is more important really from a health view at this time,” he said.

Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette said people who are impacted will wait to find out what kind of help they will get and from whom.

“I am just hoping families will get some type of assistance coverage,” he said.

The Cumberland MLA said he hopes to see both the federal and provincial governments step forward to provide some sort of support, so people aren’t left waiting for employment insurance benefits. Vermette said he heard from people in a range of industries who have been affected by COVID-19 and is working to bring their concerns forward.

“There needs to be benefits to help [people through the] crisis we’re going through, and you have to have the provincial government doing its part,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn