Cigar Lake mine, operated by Cameco Corp., is located 660 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in the boreal forest and holds the world’s richest uranium deposit. The underground operation employs more than 400 workers and contractors, providing a key source of uranium used principally for nuclear power generation.

Miners descend daily into the depths of the mine in a steel elevator cage, traveling beyond the height of New York’s Empire State Building. Once underground, workers navigate a network of tunnels carved into solid bedrock, illuminated by headlamps and lined with pipes and ventilation systems. The environment features ambient diesel exhaust and continuous monitoring for radiation, with color-coded warning lights indicating safety levels. If a fire occurs, an odoriferous gas is deployed to signal evacuation.

To extract uranium ore without direct contact, operators use a jet boring system. A drill called the “rhino” creates holes into the ore body, into which high-pressure water is injected to fracture rock and produce a slurry containing uranium. This mixture is pumped to a holding area while concrete backfill stabilizes the voids left behind. Radiation exposure for workers is tightly controlled, with average doses reported to be lower than those associated with common medical imaging procedures.

Among the workforce, women represent approximately 12 percent. Taryn Roske, who has been operating the jet boring system for 16 years, is the mine’s sole female equipment operator. Roske noted challenges in a male-dominated environment but emphasized her commitment to demonstrating capability and resilience in her role.

Employees typically work on a rotational schedule, spending two consecutive weeks on site followed by two weeks off. The mine supports workers with on-site accommodations including meals, recreational facilities, and organized activities. Nearby Waterbury Lake serves as both the mine’s water source and a recreational area for fishing and boating.

Cessa Fern, an 18-year-old radiation technician trainee, is among a number of employees with familial ties at the mine. Her father and grandfather both hold positions within Cameco operations and community relations, respectively, underscoring the mine’s role as a significant employer for northern and Indigenous populations. Cameco reports that 45 percent of its workforce are local northern Saskatchewan residents and 46 percent are Indigenous, and the company has formal agreements with First Nations focused on employment, community development, and environmental stewardship.

The uranium slurry extracted underground is transported to a nearby mill that processes it into “yellowcake,” a concentrate shipped to customers in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. Canada is the world’s second-largest uranium producer, with nearly all output sourced from three mines in the Athabasca Basin, of which Cigar Lake is a leading contributor with an annual production of around eight million kilograms. This output alone could power Saskatchewan’s electricity grid for more than two decades.

Environmental safeguards include rigorous treatment and testing of mining water before it is returned to Waterbury Lake. Solid radioactive waste materials are secured in bags and repurposed to fill mined tunnels to ensure long-term stability. Kirk Lamont, Cigar Lake’s general manager, described the operation as a “boutique mine” due to its relatively small size but exceptionally high-grade ore and specialized extraction methods. He emphasized the company’s respect for operating on treaty land and its responsibility to local communities and the environment.