The Matoush Uranium Exploration Project

Applicant: Strateco Resources Inc.

Location: The Matoush uranium exploration project is centrally located in the Province of Quebec, 210 km north of the Cree community of Mistissini and about 275 km north of the town of Chibougamau. There are no settlements or residences in the vicinity of the proposed project. The nearest community is Mistissini.

Summary: The Matoush project proposes the creation of an exploration ramp, driving two exploration tunnels in waste rock, drilling of the mineralized zone, and up to three excavations through the mineralized zone. The proposed activities will allow the applicant to further define the amount and grade of uranium. This information will be used to determine the feasibility of building a mine and mill. There are no plans for development through the mineralized zone beyond what is required to define the ore body. No production mining or milling activities have been proposed.

Latest news

• July 25, 2016: The CNSC responds to a letter (PDF) from Dr. Gordon Edwards, inviting him to personally meet with technical experts from the CSNC and Cancer Care Ontario.
• April 27, 2016: The CNSC responds to a letter (PDF) from Dr. Gordon Edwards with respect to the recent Cancer Care Ontario report titled Ontario Uranium Miners Cohort Study.
• March 29, 2016: The CNSC responds to a critique by Dr. Gordon Edwards of its presentation in January 2016 to the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Uranium in Quebec.
  • Read the CNSC’s letter and technical response (PDF).
  • Read Dr. Edwards’ letter and critique (PDF).
• January 22, 2016: On January 22, 2016, the CNSC’s Dr. Patsy Thompson delivered a presentation titled "Regulating Uranium Mines and Mills" to the Comité interministériel pour l’analyse des conclusions du Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) sur la filière uranifère (interdepartmental committee). The interdepartmental committee was established to analyze the conclusions of the BAPE report in order to help the Government of Quebec to determine whether the development of the uranium industry should be allowed, taking into consideration the issues identified in the BAPE report. The CNSC was invited to review the BAPE report based on its expertise in regulating uranium mining and its participation in the BAPE inquiry and hearings. Dr. Thompson’s presentation covers the regulatory requirements for uranium mines and mills and summarizes the CNSC’s main comments on the report.
• July 27, 2015: The CNSC responds to the report published by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. Read the CNSC’s letter to Minister David Heurtel. (PDF)
• July 17, 2015: The Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement released its investigation and public hearing report on the environmental and social impacts of the uranium industry in Quebec. The Government of Quebec announced that an interdepartmental committee would be established to analyze the findings. Read the report. Read the news release. (French only).
• September 3 to 25, 2014: During 2014, the Government of Quebec’s Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) held a commission of inquiry to study issues related to uranium exploration, mining and processing in Quebec. From September 3 to 25, 2014, CNSC staff participated in the BAPE’s public hearing phase by providing objective scientific, technical and regulatory overview presentations and answering inquiries from BAPE members. Three of the presentations were in collaboration with the Quebec ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources Naturelles, and the Quebec ministère du Développement Durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques.
  Presentations provided:
  Regulating Uranium Mines and Mills in Canada (PDF)
  Uranium Mining Operations in Quebec: Uranium Mine Infrastructure, Operations and Impacts (PDF)
  Uranium Mining in Quebec: Impacts of a Uranium Mill (PDF)
  Uranium Mine Waste Management and Regulation (PDF)
  Protecting the Health of Uranium Mine Workers: The Situation From the 1930s to Present Day (PDF)
  Do Environmental Releases From Uranium Mines and Mills Present a health Risk to the Population? (PDF)
  Environmental Impacts Measured Around Mining Sites and Regulatory Framework (PDF)
  Overview of CNSC Regulations Governing the Transport of Nuclear Substances (PDF)
• May 6, 2014: The Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement begins its public consultation process on the uranium industry in Quebec. Read the news release.
• March 28, 2013: The Government of Quebec announces that further studying of the uranium industry and public consultation is needed before the province issues a permit for uranium exploration. Read the news release. (French only)
• October 17, 2012: CNSC announces decision to issue a Licence to Strateco Resources Inc. for the Matoush Underground Exploration Project
• July 12, 2012: Letter to the Mayor of Chibougamau (PDF) in response to her request during the public proceedings held in Chibougamau on June 7, 2012 for clarification on the content of a document written and submitted by Isabelle Gingras, MD entitled Pourquoi un moratoire sur les mines d'uranium au Québec [Why a moratorium on uranium mines in Québec?]
• June 5-7, 2012: A public Commission hearing to consider Strateco Resources Inc.'s application for a licence to prepare a site and construct for an underground uranium exploration project was held from June 5 to 7, 2012, in the communities of Mistissini and Chibougamau, Québec.
  • CNSC staff Commission Member Document CMD 12-H7 submission (PDF)
• February 27, 2012: CNSC EA course of action decision (CEAA website)
• February 2, 2012: Federal Administrator Decision (PDF) (James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement website)
• February 2, 2012: Minister of the Environment Announces Decision on the Matoush Exploration Project (CEAA website)

Licensing progress details (Timelines are best estimates and are subject to change)

The proposed project was the subject of a public Commission hearing held in Mistissini and Chibougamau, Québec on June 5–7, 2012. Following the hearing, the Commission issued a license to Strateco for the Matoush Underground Exploration Project. An environmental assessment was also completed for the project.

Licence to prepare site and construct

Project Milestone	Responsibility and Status	Link to document	Date
Strateco submitted an application for a Licence to prepare site and construct	Completed Completed by Strateco		Nov. 4, 2008
Notice of the start of the licensing and environmental assessment (EA) process posted	Completed Completed by CNSC	Notice of the start of the environmental assessment process	Mar. 5, 2009
EA guidelines provided to Strateco	Completed Completed by CEA Agency	Matoush Uranium Exploration Project guidelines	Mar. 31, 2009
Availability of funding for public and Aboriginal participants in EA review (Participant Funding Program) announced	Completed Completed by CEA Agency	Notice of public funding program	Sept. 30, 2009
Awarded Participant Funding for the EA review	Completed Completed by CEA Agency	Awarded Participant Funding Program
Submit draft environmental and social impact study (ESIS)	Completed Completed by Strateco	environmental impact statement	Nov. 10, 2009
Submit detailed licence application information	Completed Completed by Strateco		Nov. 2009
Conduct technical review of the ESIS and licence application documentation	Completed Completed by CNSC	Commission member document CMD 12-H7	Review of the ESIS by the CNSC was completed June 2011 Review of licensing application and Commission member document was completed by April 5, 2012
Hold public information session on draft ESIS	Completed Completed by COFEX/COMEX	Notice of public information session	May, 2010
Hold public hearing on draft ESIS	Completed Completed by COFEX/COMEX	Notice of public hearing	Nov. 2010
Submit draft comprehensive study report (CSR)	Completed Completed by COFEX		July 2011
Submit comprehensive study report (CSR) to Environment Canada	Completed Completed by CNSC		July 2011
Post CSR for public and Aboriginal comment on the (CEARIS)	Completed Completed by CEA Agency	Comprehensive study report	Aug. 2011
If the Minister recommends the project proceed to licensing the CNSC will begin their public hearing process	Completed Completed by President of CEA Agency & Federal Minister of the Environment		February 2012
Decision from the Minister of Environment	Completed by the Minister of Environment	Minister of Environment's decision	February 2, 2012
Post CNSC Staff recommendations for licensing for public and Aboriginal comment	Completed Completed by CNSC	Commission member document CMD 12-H7	April 2012
Hold public licensing hearing (in Mistissini and Chibougamau)	Completed Completed by CNSC	Notice of hearing	June 5–7, 2012
Post Commission decision on the licence application	Completed Completed by the CNSC	CNSC license decision	October 17, 2012