Submitted by Freda Kudloo
I just want to thank Areva (Kiggavik Project) for being thoughtful and helpful for taking my mother Becky Kudloo, my common-law spouce Floyd Aksawnee and me Freda Kudloo up to our camp in Shultz Lake (Ekaluk Lodge) by helecopter then touring us up at your camp sight on July 18th, 2010.
It helped my family in a lot of ways by showing my mother our camp after her not seeing it for more than 15 years or so and by us seeing what shape our camp is now from grizzlies and people breaking into our camp every year.
After touring your camp, I saw that it appears to be very clean and well managed. Ptarmigans are also welcome right in your camp and they have the right of way on your walkways. I thought that was very cute.
I also would like to thank Berry and Mike (our helecopter pilot) for being very polite and kind to me and my family. That made it easier for my family during a choking time.
That day was such a beautiful day! Blue skies and bugs were not too bad at that time of year.
i really hope this project will not happen, again, for the profits of few qallunaat down south, and the land will be contaminated for the next 100 years…
bad idea, just have a look in south america or africa, after 30 or 40 years of ecxploitation, all mine sites are contaminated, companies did not respect their engagements, and people are still poor and sick!
Hi Guillaume,
There are many examples of mining companies not being true to their word in the world; however, AREVA Resources Canada has demonstrated over its 40 years in Canada that it is a responsible explorer, miner and uranium concentrate producer. AREVA is committed to maximizing local benefits and providing certainty and clear expectations for a safe mine closure through planning and financial assurances.
The prime example of our lasting commitment to the environment and the communities close to our projects is the Cluff Lake mine. AREVA Resources Canada explored the area, mined the uranium, produced uranium concentrate and has now decommissioned the operation and returned the area to its natural state. You can refer to an earlier post on the Decommissioning of Cluff Lake here: http://www.kiggavik.ca/2010/07/21/mining-a-temporary-use-of-the-land. We will continue to monitor the area until we and the regulators are satisfied that there are no radiological risks for the wildlife and neighbouring communities and that the residents can continue their traditional lifestyles, such as hunting and trapping on the property. We regularly bring community representatives to Cluff Lake to assess for themselves the progress of the reforestation and take their own water and vegetation samples to be independently tested. Finally there is a financial assurance in place to ensure that the site will be looked after should anything happen to AREVA Resources Canada. We have already filed a similar decommissioning plan and substantial financial assurance for our McClean Lake site in Northern Saskatchewan and we will do the same decommissioning planning and ensure adequate financial assurances are in place for the Kiggavik Project should it proceed to a mine. We currently have an abandonment and restoration plan and financial assurances with the Kiggavik landowners for the exploration site. With the decommissioning of the Cluff Lake site, AREVA Resources has set a high standard for reclamation of uranium sites in Canada and around the world and will definitely continue to set the bar high as we move forward with new projects.
Substantial benefits are seen by local communities. Our Saskatchewan operations, again, are good examples of this. Local people receive training and job opportunities that are well paying and provide healthcare and other personal benefits. Local business people also benefit as suppliers of services and goods to the mines. The Saskatchewan mining industry has been instrumental in the development and increased profitability of many of Saskatchewan’s northern and aboriginal businesses. Finally, AREVA Resources supports the people and communities through donations, sponsorship, and scholarships. Our presence and operations in Nunavut are no different. We are truly committed to the community.