A worker drives a forklift at Cameco’s uranium milling operation in Key Lake, Saskatchewan. Cameco says production at the mill has been paused after flooding caused the collapse of a bridge along the site's primary supply route. (Cameco/Submitted)

VIDEO: Cameco halts production at Key Lake mill as bridge collapse impedes supply route

By CKOM News May 11, 2026 | 7:50 AM

Uranium mining giant Cameco says it has halted production at its Key Lake mill and slowed activity at its McArthur River mine after a bridge collapse on Highway 165 impeded an essential supply route.

The company said its sites in northern Saskatchewan aren’t directly impacted by the spring flooding that has swept through the area in recent days, but the collapse of the Smoothstone River Bridge has made it difficult to get crucial supplies to the sites.

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According to Cameco, the bridge is the primary route used to transport supplies to Key Lake and McArthur River, and road restrictions mean an alternate route can’t be used.

Troy Lariviere witnessed the collapse, and he shared a video of the bridge falling into the fast-moving water:

“We are in regular contact with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, and we are working with our sites to minimize the impact of delivery disruptions,” the Saskatoon-based company said in a statement.

“However, we have temporarily halted production activities at Key Lake mill and reduced activity at McArthur River mine until the normal delivery of critical operating materials can resume. The timeline for the resumption of normal deliveries is currently unknown.”

Cameco said its Cigar Lake mine is still operating without disruption, and it has not changed its annual production plan. But the company noted that the issues at Key Lake and McArthur River could affect its production outlook for 2026, depending on the duration of the road restrictions and the company’s ability to deliver materials to the sites.