Maximising Uranium Mining’s Social and Economic Benefits: A Guide for Stakeholders (report launch)

Uranium is the primary source of fuel for nuclear power plants, which provides large-scale low-carbon baseload electricity for more than 30 countries around the world and is the world’s second largest source of low-carbon electricity. With further potential growth in the number of nuclear power reactors worldwide and the commercialisation of new designs (including small modular reactors), demand for uranium is expected to rise, creating the conditions for growth in uranium mining activities.

In Maximising Uranium Mining’s Social and Economic Benefits: A Guide for Stakeholders the NEA explores uranium-producing regions in both developed and emerging economies to provide a contemporary understanding of leading practices as well as best practices for environmental protection, community engagement and benefits-sharing. Case studies are presented to inform evidence-based discussions about uranium mine development and to provide decision makers with guidance about approaches to maximise the socio-economic benefits of uranium exploration and extraction, and avoid negative environmental and health impacts.

The launch of this NEA publication provided unique insights and lessons from across the global uranium sector – including community perspectives, Indigenous voices and industry perspectives in a discussion about the report’s key findings.

Programme

16:00-16:10 Opening remarks 

  • William D. Magwood, IV, NEA Director-General

16:10-16:30 Session 1: Presentation of the NEA publication

  • Keith Cunningham, KCSK Consulting
  • Geordie Graetz, Chief Commercial Officer, Silex Systems Limited
  • Emma Wong, Specialist, NEA

16:30-16:55 Session 2: Panel discussion

Indigenous community perspectives: Members of English River First Nation share their experience with the uranium industry

Moderator: Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

  • Tom Lariviere
  • Norman Wolverine
  • Brett Bradshaw

16:55-17:20 Session 3: Panel discussion

Moderator: Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA

Uranium industry perspective

  • Alice Wong, Senior Vice-President & Chief Corporate Officer, Cameco
  • Nicolas Maes, CEO, Orano Mining
  • Brandon Munro, CEO, Bannerman Energy

17:20-17:30 Concluding remarks

  • Diane Cameron, Head of the Division of Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, NEA
  • Keith Cunningham, KCSK Consulting