An Overview of Saskatchewan's Program for the Environmental Regulation of Uranium Mining

Abstract

In 1977 the Cluff Lake Board of Inquiry was assigned the task of conducting a public assessment into the then proposed Amok Ltd . Cluff Lake project and on a more general scale the future expansion of the Uranium Industry in Saskatchewan. The terms of reference directed the Board to "review all available information" and to "receive public comment" in relation to the relevant questions. Consequently, the Cluff Lake Inquiry extensively examined both the technical and non-technical aspects of uranium mining in Saskatchewan. The Inquiry process was completed in May of 1978 with t he issuance of the Cluff Lake Board of Inquiry Final Report. (3) In summary the Board felt that uranium mining and milling could be pursued at Cluff Lake specifically and that the uranium industry could be allowed to expand in the province of Saskatchewan if adequate controls were instituted. From an environmental perspective the Board recommended that "The administration of the Pollution Prevention Regulations for the Mineral Industry, 1970, be transferred from the Department of Mineral Resources to the Department of Environment, which should be provided with sufficient field staff to perform compliance monitoring, inspections and evaluations". Consequently, the Mines Pollution Control Branch of Saskatchewan Environment was established in Prince Albert.