Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd today congratulated Cameco Corporation on receiving two major awards for outstanding safety performance last year.

Cameco was honoured with a John T. Ryan safety trophy, the premier award in Canada's mining industry, Monday night at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) conference in Vancouver. That award plus a special award certificate were for performance at Cameco's McArthur River and Cigar Lake mines.

"Cameco has invested in a well-trained and safety conscious work force and this industry recognition is a testament both to that commitment and to the company's leadership in the mining industry," Boyd said. "These awards also honour the dedication of Cameco's employees, many of whom live and work in northern Saskatchewan."

Cameco received the national John T. Ryan safety trophy for the best safety performance in the metal mine category in 2009 for its McArthur River mine, recording one reportable injury for 756,990 working hours. Cameco's Cigar Lake mine recorded one reportable injury for 717,932 working hours in 2009 and was honoured with the special award certificate.

Cameco has a long history of recognition for safety, with awards in 2000 for its McArthur River and Key Lake mines as well as in 2001 and 1989 for its Rabbit Lake operation.

Source: Energy & Resources