Cameco celebrates start up of Cigar Lake uranium mine

Mining company Cameco is celebrating the start of production at its Cigar Lake uranium mine and McClean Lake mill today.

The Cigar Lake mine was plagued by flooding problems for years. The mining and mill operation started producing packaged uranium concentrate last year.

"I thank all of our stakeholders and partners whose strong support helped us bring this rich and challenging deposit into production," said Cameco President and CEO Tim Gitzel in a release. "This achievement took 10 years, great perseverance and technical creativity, and I commend the many people who contributed."

Gitzel will lead a tour of both facilitiestoday. Dignitaries include provincial Economy Minister Bill Boyd and community leaders from across northern Saskatchewan.

French-owned uranium company AREVA will also be represented at the event. AREVA is the majority owner and operator of the McClean Lake mill.

The operation is expected to produce 18 million pounds of uranium by 2018.