Cigar Lake

Cigar Lake ore processing
  • Cigar Lake is the world's highest grade uranium mine and is located in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • Since commissioning in 2014, the site has produced a total of 155.4 million pounds (100% basis).  Commercial operation began in May 2015.
  • As the operator, Cameco developed an innovative jet-boring technique specifically for this challenging deposit.
  • Cigar Lake's ore is processed 70 km northeast, at the McClean Lake mill, operated by Orano.

Operation

(As of December 31, 2024)
Cameco ownership 54.5%
1116 people employed (including contractors) | 45% of Cameco's employees are from northern Saskatchewan

Production

(As of December 31, 2024)
15.87% U308 Average Grade
105.2 million pounds of U3O8 in proven and probable reserves
Licenced to 2031
Annual production trend (Cameco's share)

2025 Q3 Update

Production

Cigar Lake Production 
Cameco's Share (million lbs)

Three months ended September 30Six months ended September 30 
20252024Change20252024Change2025 Plan
2.21.547%7.86.716%9.81

  1. Depending on operational performance of the Cigar Lake mine and the McClean Lake mill in the fourth quarter, we may exceed this target by up to 1 million pounds (100% basis).

Total packaged production from Cigar Lake was 4 million pounds (2.2 million pounds our share) in the third quarter of 2025 compared to 2.7 million pounds (1.5 million pounds our share) in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of the year, total packaged production from Cigar Lake was 14.3 million (7.8 million pounds our share) compared to 12.3 million pounds (6.7 million pounds our share) in the first nine months of 2024 as a result of the strong performance at both the Cigar Lake mine and McClean Lake mill.

We continue to expect production of 18 million pounds (9.8 million pounds our share) in 2025. However, depending on operational performance of the Cigar Lake mine and McClean Lake mill in the fourth quarter, we may exceed this target by up to 1 million pounds (100% basis). 

See full Quarterly Report

Environment & Safety

Worker safety, protection of the environment and proper decommissioning after mining is completed, are of the utmost importance to Cameco.

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Reserves & Resources

Our mineral reserves and resources are the foundation of our company and fundamental to our success.

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The Cigar Lake head frames are different heights. Shaft 1 is about 40 metres and shaft 2 is about 35 metres above ground.

The Cigar Lake head frames are different heights. Shaft 1 is about 40 metres and shaft 2 is about 35 metres above ground.

Cigar Lake’s ore is hauled by truck for processing at Orano's McClean Lake mill.

Cigar Lake’s ore is hauled by truck for processing at Orano's McClean Lake mill.

Mining at Cigar Lake takes place 480 meters below surface.

Mining at Cigar Lake takes place 480 meters below surface.

As the operator, Cameco developed an innovative jet-boring technique, specifically for this challenging deposit.

As the operator, Cameco developed an innovative jet-boring technique, specifically for this challenging deposit.

Routine water sampling is part of a rigorous environmental monitoring program in place at each operation.

Routine water sampling is part of a rigorous environmental monitoring program in place at each operation.

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Caution about Forward-Looking Information   
This page may contain forward-looking information that is based upon the assumptions and subject to the material risks discussed on page 2 of Cameco's most recent Quarterly MD&A.

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