Western Australia Court of Appeal hears appeal of Yeelirrie Project decision

March 5, 2019

Today the Western Australia Court of Appeal will hear an appeal of a Supreme Court decision from February 2018, which denied an application to set aside the decision of the former Minister of Environment, granting the Yeelirrie project environmental approval. Cameco Australia will be opposing the appeal to ensure its position and interests are heard.

The Yeelirrie uranium project was granted environmental approval in January 2017 following a robust and fully compliant environmental assessment process. Today’s appeal is not about the merits of the assessment, but is rather challenging the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EPA) procedure and the ability of the Minister of Environment to make approval decisions.

“Cameco Australia is committed to minimizing environmental impacts from its projects and we have followed the EPA process, ensuring that the assessment was thorough and transparent,” said Simon Williamson, General Manager of Cameco Australia. “The initial application to set aside the Yeelirrie approval was heard and dismissed last year, and we hope to see the same outcome following this appeal hearing.”

The appeal was lodged by the Environmental Defenders Office on behalf of the Conservation Council of Western Australia and a small number of traditional owners. The State of Western Australia is the first respondent at the hearing, and Cameco Australia will also respond. We expect to receive a decision on the appeal within three to four months.

The Yeelirrie project is also currently being assessed by the Federal Department of Environment and Energy for federal environmental approval. Any decisions to advance Cameco Australia’s projects in Western Australia will depend upon market conditions.

Profile

Cameco Australia Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of Cameco Corporation, has been exploring for uranium in Australia since 1996 and is involved in a number of projects across the country, including two of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits, Kintyre and Yeelirrie.  Cameco is one of the world’s largest providers of uranium fuel.  Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Our uranium products are used to generate clean electricity in nuclear power plants around the world. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Inquiries:      

Simon Williamson,
General Manager,
Cameco Australia, (08) 9480 0675