Nuclear Facilities: Uranium Processing and Fuel Fabrication

Nuclear power facilities use domestically produced fuel products, based on natural uranium. Uranium processing and fabricating facilities typically refine uranium ore concentrate (generally called "yellowcake") into fuel bundles through several processing stages. Uranium processing facilities must meet CNSC's safety and security requirements.

While Canadian nuclear power plants use naturally occurring uranium as fuel, the uranium ore must first be processed.

Facilities for the processing of uranium for fuel are regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.

The CNSC's licensing process for uranium processing facilities follows the stages laid out in the Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations, proceeding progressively through site preparation, construction, commissioning, operating, decommissioning, and abandonment phases.

Currently, there are five licensed uranium processing and fuel fabrication facilities operating in Canada:

• Blind River Uranium Refinery (Ontario)
• Port Hope Uranium Conversion Facility (Ontario)
• Cameco Fuel Manufacturing Inc. (Ontario)
• BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. - Toronto (Ontario)
• BWXT Nuclear Energy Canada Inc. - Peterborough (Ontario)