Our Performance
Performance Table
For over 15 years we have disclosed our ESG performance through an extensive range of environment, safety, social, economic and governance indicators. Our disclosure about Cameco's ESG performance is in alignment with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and is also aligned with those recommended by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).
We welcome feedback at sustainabledevelopment@cameco.com
Company Context
Operations
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues | thousand CAD $ | 1,862,925 | 1,800,073 | 1,474,984 | GRI 201-1 | Cameco's sale of products and services | |
Total mining production | lbs U308 | 9,047,595 | 5,064,503 | 6,091,172 | EM-MM- 000.A | Cameco’s equity share of production from Cameco operated facilities. Cameco’s share of production from Joint Venture Inkai mine in Kazakhstan is not included. | Cameco equity share of operating facilities excluding JV Inkai |
Production in our fuel services division (includes results for UF6, UO2, and fuel fabrication) | kgU | 13,263,756 | 11,641,285 | 12,097,638 | EM-MM- 000.A | Cameco equity share of operating facilities |
Environment
Water
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total water withdrawn |
thousand m3 |
19,536 |
20,719 |
20,778 |
GRI G4 EN8 |
Includes intercepted water. Cameco withdraws water from surface water, collects groundwater, and withdraws water from municipal water utilities in the areas where we operate. Rainwater that comes into contact with our operations is collected and stored, which is reflected in our water withdrawal volumes. Cameco does not withdraw wastewater directly from other organizations. Water withdrawal from our exploration activities is not included. Cameco is currently evaluating how this indicator is reported to align with the new GRI standards and plans to update the way water withdrawal is reported in future ESG reports. |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Fresh water withdrawn in regions with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress |
percent |
NR |
0 |
0 |
EM-MM-140a.1 |
Fresh water defined as water with an average total dissolved solids (TDS) less or equal to 1,000 mg/L for the purpose of this indicator. Areas of High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress were identified using the World Resources Institute Aqueduct tool. Cameco's North Butte operation is classified in an area of high water stress (3-4). Cameco withdraws fresh water from a drinking water aquifer at North Butte for use in firewater suppression systems, bathrooms, and sinks within surface buildings. The quantity of water withdrawn is < 5,000 m3 annually. This is such a small proportion of total water withdrawn that it is not measurable within the corporate total. |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Number of incidents of non-compliance associated with water quality permits, standards, and regulations |
number |
0 |
0 |
0 |
EM-MM-140a.2 |
Incidents of non-compliance associated with water quality permits, standards, and regulations are water-related incidents that resulted in formal enforcement actions. |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Water quality
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Water discharged to: | This indicator presents the annual volume of planned water discharge in thousands of cubic metres (thousand m3) by destination (i.e. surface water, municipal treatment facilities, land, evaporation pond, or deep disposal well) and treatment method (i.e. treated by Cameco, treated by municipal authorities, clean, or untreated). Cameco does not reuse water produced by other organizations. The annual volume of water discharged to evaporation from our Smith Ranch-Highland operation is not included. | ||||||
Surface water (clean diverted water to surface water) | thousand m3 | 6,445,573 | 6,143,196 | 6,111,667 | GRI G4 EN22 | ||
Surface water (clean treated water to surface water) | thousand m3 | 12,118,755 | 13,144,970 | 12,146,931 | GRI G4 EN22 | ||
Municipal treatment facilities | thousand m3 | 191,003 | 164,201 | 142,744 | GRI G4 EN22 | ||
Land application via irrigation | thousand m3 | 135,930 | 145,724 | 131,613 | GRI G4 EN22 | ||
Deep disposal well | thousand m3 | 975,324 | 1,048,988 | 915,108 | GRI G4 EN22 | We only dispose of water into licensed disposal wells in our US operations. | |
Evaporation pond | thousand m3 | 27,140 | 11,665 | 41,463 | GRI G4 EN22 |
Tailings and mineral wastes
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight of tailings and mineral waste | tonnes | 67,238 | 26,731 | 26,461 | |||
Annual change in unreclaimed waste rock inventory | tonnes | 44,040 | 23,089 | 15,443 | Includes mineralized and non-mineralized waste rock. | ||
Weight of other mineral waste | tonnes | 21,749 | 1,429 | 7,236 | Includes water treatment sludges and mine slimes. | ||
Weight of tailings waste | tonnes | 1,449 | 2,213 | 3,782 | EM-MM-150a.5 | Includes the amount of tailings generated by Cameco operated facilities. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Percent of tailings waste recycled | percent | 0% | 0% | 0% | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | ||
Number of tailings impoundments (tailings management facilities) | number | 4 | 4 | 4 | EM-MM-540a.1 | Cameco has four tailings facilities but two are in-pit facilities. In-pit facilities are below the ground surface, so we do not classify them with respect to the consequence of a dam failure. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Number of tailings impoundments, broken down by Canadian Dam Association Consequence Classification Rating | number | N/A | Significant | Significant | EM-MM-150a.3 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Non-mineral wastes
Non-mineral waste does not include solid waste generated as tailings, water treatment sludge and slime, or waste rock. Non-mineral waste does include mineral processing waste. Cameco does not generate intermediate or high-level radioactive waste. The total amount of low-level radioactive, non-hazardous, and hazardous waste generated in each category is separated and presented by disposal method: diverted, landfilled, or stored on site. Diverted materials include those that are recycled, reused, repurposed, or reprocessed. We separate waste into these disposal categories using internal tracking systems that track the inventory of waste on site and the transfer of waste off site. The amount of waste transferred off site is confirmed through information provided by the receiving organization.
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight of low-level radioactive waste | tonnes | 5,707 | 6,258 | 6,862 | Low-level radioactive waste includes industrial materials that have become contaminated with radioactive material and are more radioactive than clearance levels and exemption quantities allow. Includes industrial materials such as protective equipment, paper, cardboard, equipment, tools, metal, plastic, concrete, sand, sludges, insulation, and wood. At our Saskatchewan facilities, this waste is referred to as contaminated waste. At our US facilities, it is referred to as 11e2 byproduct. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | |
Low-level radioactive waste diverted | tonnes | 1,466 | 1,043 | 1,279 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | ||
Low-level radioactive waste landfilled or stored | tonnes | 4,241 | 5,216 | 5,583 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | ||
Weight of non-hazardous waste | tonnes | 1,564 | 1,330 | 2,192 | GRI 306-3 | Non-hazardous waste includes domestic, commercial, and industrial materials that become waste, such as plastic, tin, paper and cardboard, tires, metal, wood pallets, kitchen cooking oil, and wood. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Non-hazardous waste diverted | tonnes | 748 | 645 | 663 | GRI 306-4 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | |
Non-hazardous waste landfilled or stored | tonnes | 816 | 685 | 1,530 | GRI 306-5 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | |
Weight of hazardous waste | tonnes | 183 | 247 | 291 | EM-MM-150a.7 | Hazardous waste includes hazardous recyclable materials, and generally means a waste with hazardous properties that may have potential effects to human health or the environment. Includes materials such as used petroleum fuels (oil, diesel, gas), batteries, paint and paint-related materials, compressed gas cylinders, and light fixtures. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Hazardous waste diverted | tonnes | 130 | 155 | 261 | GRI 306-4 | ||
Hazardous waste landfilled or stored | tonnes | 53 | 92 | 30 | GRI 306-5 |
Processing waste
Mineral processing waste is defined as the total non-hazardous, hazardous, and low-level radioactive waste generated during mineral processing by all facilities within the fuel services division. The waste generated during mineral processing is a subset of the categories above and should not be added to the wastes describes above.
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight of total mineral processing waste | tonnes | 2,509 | 4,273 | 2,665 | EM-MM-150a.2 | ||
Percent of total mineral processing waste diverted | percent | 35% | 29% | 57% | EM-MM-150a.2 |
GHG emissions/energy use
Cameco’s scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are presented as tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). CO2e is used to compare the emissions from various GHG sources based on their global warming potential (GWP). Cameco adopted the GWPs published by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), which reference the GWPs stated in the International Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. Cameco’s significant sources of direct GHG emissions include those generated by the consumption of fuel from non-renewable sources and industrial processes. Emission factors that are country- and fuel-specific are used to convert the fossil fuels consumed to GHG emissions in CO2e. For our Canadian operations, we have used emission factors published by ECCC through the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. For our US operations, we use the emission factors published by the US EPA in the most recent Emission Factors for Greenhouse Gas Inventories document.
Cameco’s indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions are presented as tonnes of CO2e. CO2e is used to compare the emissions from various GHG sources based on their GWP. Cameco adopted the GWPs published by ECCC and the US EPA, which reference the GWPs stated in the International Panel on Climate Change’s Fourth Assessment Report. Indirect GHG emissions are calculated by applying a utility- or region-specific emission factor to the amount of electricity purchased from that area, which is determined through utility invoices.
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gross global Scope 1 emissions (equity share) | tonnes CO2e | 89,052 | 86,981 | 85,909 | EM-MM-110a.1 | Under the equity share approach, we have adjusted the GHG emissions reported to align with our financial ownership, specifically: 69.805% of McArthur River mine, 83.333% of Key Lake mill, 50.025% of Cigar Lake mine, and we have included 40% of emissions from JV Inkai. | Cameco equity share of operating facilities (includes JV Inkai) |
Scope 2 emissions (equity share) | tonnes CO2e | 132,270 | 113,707 | 131,089 | GRI 305-2 | Cameco equity share of operating facilities (includes JV Inkai) | |
Gross global Scope 1 emissions (operational control) | tonnes CO2e | 104,320 | 101,685 | 100,418 | GRI 305-1 | Operational control basis means we report 100% of GHG emissions from Cameco operated facilities regardless of financial ownership. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Scope 2 emissions (operational control) | tonnes CO2e | 173,370 | 146,586 | 173,282 | GRI 305-2 |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
|
Total energy consumed | GJ | 3,261,156 | 3,189,800 | 3,222,286 | EM-MM-130a.1 | Cameco’s energy consumption includes energy consumed as fuel from non-renewable sources and energy consumed as electricity. Energy consumed as fuel from non-renewable sources is calculated by applying a fuel- and region-specific energy content factor to the consumed volume of non-renewable energy sources at Cameco’s operations. These energy sources include propane, natural gas, diesel and gasoline. Cameco does not utilize renewable energy sources directly. Energy consumed as electricity is calculated by applying a conversion factor of 0.0036 gigajoules per kilowatt hour (GJ/kWh) to the raw electricity consumption. Cameco does not sell energy as electricity, heating, cooling, or steam. |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Grid electricity | percent | 46% | 46% | 47% | EM-MM-130a.1 |
Transition to a low carbon economy
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scope 1 emissions covered under emissions-limiting regulations (operational control) | percent | 96% | 96% | 96% | EM-MM-110a.1 |
Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
|
Scope 1 emissions covered under emissions-limiting regulations (equity share) | percent | 73% | 75% | 74% | EM-MM-110a.1 |
Cameco equity share of operating facilities (includes JV Inkai) |
Air quality
Air emissions are reported for operated facilities in Canada only. Air emissions from our in situ recovery operations in the US are not material for this indicator and are not included. Air emissions of NOx, SO2, CO, VOCs, PM, PM10, PM2.5 and NH3 are calculated using the guidance provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the National Pollutant Release Inventory. The total air emissions for these constituents include air emissions released through point sources such as process stacks, storage and handling, fugitive emissions, and as a result of road dust. Air emissions of uranium and Hydrogen Fluoride include air emissions released through point sources.
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carbon Monoxide (CO) | tonnes | 10 | 9 | 0 | EM-MM-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | |
NOx (excluding N2O) | tonnes | 118 | 138 | 119 | EM-MM-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | |
SOx | tonnes | 0 | 0 | 0 | EM-MM-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | |
Particulate matter (PM10) | tonnes | 156 | 149 | 214 | EM-MM-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | |
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | tonnes | 1 | 1 | 0 | EM-MM-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | |
Ammonia (NH3) | tonnes | 39 | 38 | 35 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | ||
Uranium | tonnes | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) | ||
Hydrogen Fluoride | tonnes | 0.53 | 0.61 | 0.63 | RT-CH-120a.1 | Cameco operated facilities in Canada (100% basis) |
Biodiversity/land
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proved reserves in or near sites with protected conservation status or endangered species habitat | percent | 33 | 34 | 38 | EM-MM-160a.3 | Protected conservation status or endangered species habitat in alignment with SASB Standards definition. | Cameco ownership of deposits |
Probable reserves in or near sites with protected conservation status or endangered species habitat | percent | 61 | 57 | 53 | EM-MM-160a.3 | Cameco ownership of deposits |
Acid-generating seepage, waste rock
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage of mine sites where acid- generating seepage into surrounding surface water and/or groundwater is: | |||||||
Predicted to occur | percent | 17% | 20% | 33% | EM-MM-160a.2 | The percentage of mine sites in 2019 have been restated since the publication of our 2020 ESG report. | |
Actively mitigated | percent | 17% | 20% | 33% | EM-MM-160a.2 | Active mitigation includes placing waste rock on a lined facility and collecting seepage. | |
Under treatment or remediation | percent | 0% | 0% | 0% | EM-MM-160a.2 | ||
Percentage of annual production output in metric tons (on an equity share basis) where acid-generating seepage into surrounding surface water and/or groundwater is: | |||||||
Predicted to occur | percent | 73% | 64% | 63% | EM-MM-160a.2 | ||
Actively mitigated | percent | 73% | 64% | 63% | EM-MM-160a.2 | Active mitigation includes placing waste rock on a lined facility and collecting seepage. | |
Under treatment or remediation | percent | 0% | 0% | 0% | EM-MM-160a.2 |
Decommissioning/closure
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial acreage disturbed | hectares | 3,174 | 3,199 | 3,199 | EM-MD-160a.3 | Cameco’s land, leased and owned, currently in use and not yet rehabilitated. This indicator excludes advanced uranium projects (Kintyre, Yeelirrie, Millennium), office structures, exploration activities, operations in which Cameco does not have operational control, or rented facilities that Cameco operates (Cobourg). The definition of land disturbed and not yet rehabilitated is dependent on the jurisdiction of the operation. In Saskatchewan, total land disturbed and not yet rehabilitated is accepted by regulators as “Developed” land. In the US, total land disturbed and not yet rehabilitated is defined by regulators as “Affected Area”. For Ontario, total land disturbed is equal to the licensed area of the facility. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Terrestrial acreage restored | hectares | 25 | 0 | 0 | EM-MD-160a.3 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Governance
Ethics
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New employees who have completed Code of Conduct and Ethics Orientation Course | percent | 100% | 100% | 100% | - | ||
Targeted employees who have completed annual Code of Conduct and Ethics refresher course | percent | 100% | 100% | 100% | - | In 2019 and 2020, “targeted employees” included all directors and above, as well as employees who work in supply chain management, human resources, tax, treasury, finance, business technology services, marketing, corporate development, legal and executive offices. These individuals must complete a mandatory online Code of Conduct and Ethics (Code) refresher training course, including the requirement to adhere to the Code and report any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest. In 2021, “targeted employees” included all employees. |
Cybersecurity
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage of employees who received cybersecurity training | percent | 99% | 99% | 100% | - |
Anti-corruption
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Production in countries that have the 20 lowest rankings in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index | tonnes | 0 | 0 | 0 | EM-MM-510a.2 | Cameco equity share of operated facilities. |
Local procurement
Indicator | Units | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Reference | Notes | Boundary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proportion of services procured by local providers by Cameco | percent | 61% | 55% | 63% | GRI 204-1 | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | |
Proportion of services procured by local providers in: | Local supplier is defined differently for each of Cameco’s operating locations as follows: | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) | |||||
Northern Saskatchewan | percent | 85% | 81% | 82% | GRI 204-1 | Northern Saskatchewan local supplier – A company or joint venture that is at least 50% owned by people or communities from the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
Ontario | percent | 45% | 41% | 47% | GRI 204-1 | Ontario local supplier – One located in the province of Ontario. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |
US | percent | 43% | 67% | 65% | GRI 204-1 | US local supplier – A supplier located in the same state as the US mine operations. For Crow Butte operations is a supplier located in the state of Nebraska. For Smith Ranch-Highland operations is a supplier located in the state of Wyoming. | Cameco operated facilities (100% basis) |