Murray Wood: Kids and culture wars
The culture war crowd is in high dudgeon at students being exposed to what it deems blatant sexuality on a school trip t...
A temporary replacement for a collapsed bridge that slowed Cameco’s operations in northern Saskatchewan is expected to be in place by the end of May.
The uranium mining giant was forced to halt operations at its Key Lake mill and slow operations at its McArthur River mine after the Smoothstone River Bridge along Highway 165 collapsed last week during widespread spring flooding that swept through the area.
Read more:
- Saskatchewan flooding: Highway to Île-à-la-Crosse reopens after culvert repair
- VIDEO: Cameco halts production at Key Lake mill as bridge collapse impedes supply route
- Man dies in northern Saskatchewan bear attack
According to an update from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways, a contractor has been hired to install a temporary bridge across the river. The emergency installation of the temporary structure started on Monday and is expected to be completed by the end of the month, weather permitting.
The ministry says the crossing is currently closed, and motorists are required to use alternate routes until the temporary bridge is installed.
Troy Lariviere witnessed the collapse, and he shared a video of the bridge falling into the fast-moving water:
The loss of the bridge has made it difficult to get crucial supplies to Cameco’s mine sites.
According to Cameco, the bridge is the primary route used to transport supplies to Key Lake and McArthur River, and road restrictions in the area mean an alternate route can’t be used.
“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 outlook for 2026, depending on the duration of the road restrictions and the company’s ability to deliver materials to the sites.
–with files from 650 CKOM
