WA EPA rejects proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine

"Cameco believes the long-term fundamentals of the nuclear industry are strong and we are taking prudent steps to prepare our uranium projects for improved market conditions," Reilly said.

But the fundamentals of the industry aren't strong at all, as Cameco well knows. Cameco announced in April that it is suspending production at one Canadian uranium mine, reducing production at another, and winding down production at its two uranium mines in the USA. A Cameco statement in April said that "with today's oversupplied market and uncertainty as to how long these market conditions will persist, we need to focus our resources on our lowest cost assets and maintain a strong balance sheet."

The EPA's report to the Minister for Environment is now open for a two-week public appeal period, closing August 17, 2016. Appeals are administered independently by the Appeals Convenor and can be made at www.appealsconvenor.wa.gov.au

Following discussions with other decision-making authorities, the Minister for Environment makes the decision on whether the proposal should proceed.