The Cameco uranium refinery in Blind River held a virtual public session as part of the process to have its licence renewed.
Refinery general manager Terry Davis told the public audience the licence renewal is part of the process required by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
In Blind River’s case, the refinery began operations back in 1983 and must obtain a renewal every ten years with the current licence expiring in February of next year.
He adds the online public meeting was held to provide details on the refinery operation’s environmental measures in place and to answer questions from the public.
Davis also says the refinery is the town’s largest employer with 148 employees where uranium concentrates called yellowcake comes in from uranium mines around the world to produce uranium trioxide called UO3 as part of the nuclear fuel production cycle.