Uranium Mining and Milling Waste Management in Northern Saskatchewan Extended Abstract

Abstract

This extended abstract presents a review of the effectiveness of waste management practices currently used in Northern Saskatchewan's uranium mining industry. Short-term improvements could be made to waste rock management. Long-term improvements include extracting toxic metals from the tailings pit, and creating a recycle loop for the effluent water to be returned for use in the mill. Additional regulatory involvement was seen as necessary to implement the suggested improvements, either through an incentive system for extraction similar to carbon trading or via increased enforcement of lifetime total metals accumulation and loading limits.