Mining
Three different mining methods will be used to mine the orebody - raiseboring, boxhole boring and remote box hole stoping. All three methods use remote-controlled equipment which allows the ore to be mined while minimizing employee exposure to radiation. Raiseboring is being used to mine the first part of the orebody.
After the ore is mined, it is crushed and processed underground. The ore is pumped to the surface as a slurry or mud where it is put in specially designed containers for transportation by truck.
Milling
Ore is trucked to the Key Lake operation for milling over an 80-kilometre all-weather road.
Wastes from McArthur River ore, milled at Key Lake, are processed and managed at the Key Lake site.
Mining, underground processing and transportation of McArthur River ore (4 minute animation )