Jump to content

Athabasca Basin: Difference between revisions

Edit links
Coordinates: 58°26′46″N 108°19′55″W / 58.446°N 108.332°W / 58.446; -108.332
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Jackdann88 (talk | contribs)
154 edits
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,547,818 edits
Reformat 1 archive link. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #20
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Region of the Canadian Shield in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada}}
:''This article is about the uranium mining region near Lake Athabasca. Not to be confused with the drainage basin of the [[Athabasca River]].''
{{About-distinguish2|the uranium mining region near Lake Athabasca|the drainage basin of the [[Athabasca River]]}}


<div style="float:right;border:1px silver solid;">
<div style="float:right;border:1px silver solid;">
Line 12: Line 13:
| y = 125
| y = 125
}}
}}
<center><small>Location of the Athabasca Basin in the Canadian Shield</small></center>
{{center|<small>Location of the Athabasca Basin in the Canadian Shield</small>}}
</div>
</div>


Line 29: Line 30:
{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=[[Lake Athabasca]] | lat=59.16 | long=-109.27 | label_size=75 | marksize=1| position=left}} }}
{{Location map~|Canada Saskatchewan| label=[[Lake Athabasca]] | lat=59.16 | long=-109.27 | label_size=75 | marksize=1| position=left}} }}


The '''Athabasca Basin''' is a region in the [[Canadian Shield]] of northern [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]] [[Canada]]. It is best known as the world's leading source of high-grade [[uranium]] and currently supplies about 20% of the world's uranium.<ref name="WNA-WUM">{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf23.html|title=World Uranium Mining|publisher=World Nuclear Association|accessdate=2009-07-24| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090618102822/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf23.html| archivedate= 18 June 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
The '''Athabasca Basin''' is a region in the [[Canadian Shield]] of northern [[Saskatchewan]] and [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]. It is best known as the world's leading source of high-grade [[uranium]] and currently supplies about 20% of the world's uranium.<ref name="WNA-WUM">{{cite web|url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf23.html|title=World Uranium Mining|publisher=World Nuclear Association|access-date=2009-07-24| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090618102822/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf23.html| archive-date= 18 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>


The basin is located just to the south of [[Lake Athabasca]], west of [[Wollaston Lake]] and encloses almost all of [[Cree Lake]]. It covers about 100,000 square kilometres in Saskatchewan and a small portion of Alberta. The surface of the basin consists of main [[sandstone]] sediment varying from 100 to 1000 metres in depth. The [[uranium ore]] is mostly found at the base of this sandstone, at the point where it meets the basement.
The basin is located just to the south of [[Lake Athabasca]], west of [[Wollaston Lake]], and encloses almost all of [[Cree Lake]]. It covers about {{convert|100,000|km2}} in Saskatchewan and a small portion of Alberta. The surface of the basin consists of main [[sandstone]] sediment varying from {{convert|100|to|1000|metres}} in depth. The [[uranium ore]] is mostly found at the base of this sandstone, at the point where it meets the [[basement (geology)|basement]].


On the northern and eastern edges are the communities of [[Fort Chipewyan, Alberta|Fort Chipewyan]] in Alberta and [[Camsell Portage, Saskatchewan|Camsell Portage]], [[Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan|Stony Rapids]], [[Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan|Fond du Lac]], [[Black Lake, Saskatchewan|Black Lake]] and [[Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan|Wollaston Lake]] in Saskatchewan. Much of the Athabasca Basin is within the migratory range of the Beverly [[Barren-ground caribou|caribou]] herd <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.taiga.net/projectcaribou/pdf/casestudies/beverly_study.PDF |title=The Beverly Caribou Herd: Continental Wilderness Travellers |publisher=taiga.net |accessdate=2013-07-19}}</ref> a major source of sustenance for the [[Chipewyan people|Denesuline]] communities.
On the northern and eastern edges are the communities of [[Fort Chipewyan, Alberta|Fort Chipewyan]] in Alberta and [[Camsell Portage, Saskatchewan|Camsell Portage]], [[Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan|Stony Rapids]], [[Fond-du-Lac, Saskatchewan|Fond du Lac]], [[Black Lake, Saskatchewan|Black Lake]] and [[Wollaston Lake, Saskatchewan|Wollaston Lake]] in Saskatchewan. Much of the Athabasca Basin is within the migratory range of the Beverly [[Barren-ground caribou|caribou]] herd <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taiga.net/projectcaribou/pdf/casestudies/beverly_study.PDF |title=The Beverly Caribou Herd: Continental Wilderness Travellers |publisher=taiga.net |access-date=2013-07-19 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609143934/http://www.taiga.net/projectcaribou/pdf/casestudies/beverly_study.PDF |archive-date=2013-06-09 }}</ref> a major source of sustenance for the [[Chipewyan people|Denesuline]] communities.


Within the basin are the [[Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park]] on the south shore of Lake Athabasca and the [[Carswell crater]]. The Cluff Lake mine site is located in the crater area.
Within the basin are the [[Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park]] on the south shore of Lake Athabasca and the [[Carswell crater]]. The Cluff Lake mine site is located in the crater area.
[[Points North Landing, Saskatchewan|Points North Landing]] a permanent supply depot and camp serves the eastern area of the basin.
[[Points North Landing]], a permanent supply depot and camp, serves the eastern area of the basin.


Road access to the area is provided by [[Saskatchewan Highway 955]] from the village of [[La Loche, Saskatchewan|La Loche]] on the west side and [[Saskatchewan Highway 914]] and [[Saskatchewan Highway 905]] north of the town of [[La Ronge]] on the east side.
Road access to the area is provided by [[Saskatchewan Highway 955]] from the village of [[La Loche, Saskatchewan|La Loche]] on the west side and [[Saskatchewan Highway 914]] and [[Saskatchewan Highway 905]] north of the town of [[La Ronge]] on the east side.


==Uranium mines==
==Uranium mines==
[[File:McArthur River Uranium Mine.jpg|thumb|300px|left|McArthur River Uranium Mine aerial view]]Uranium was discovered in the region in the 1940s. The first mine in the area was the [[Rabbit Lake mine|Rabbit Lake Mine]], which was discovered in 1968 by Gulf Mineral Resources and opened in 1975. The most important current mine is [[Cameco]]'s [[McArthur River uranium mine|McArthur River mine]], the world's largest high-grade uranium mine.
[[File:McArthur River Uranium Mine.jpg|thumb|300px|left|[[McArthur River uranium mine]] aerial view]]
[[File:Claude Lake near the Cluff Lake uranium mine.jpg|thumb|right|Claude Lake near the [[Cluff Lake mine]]]]
Uranium was discovered in the region in the 1940s. The first mine in the area was the [[Rabbit Lake mine|Rabbit Lake Mine]], which was discovered in 1968 by Gulf Mineral Resources and opened in 1975. The most important current mine is [[Cameco]]'s [[McArthur River uranium mine|McArthur River mine]], the world's largest high-grade uranium mine.
Other uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin include the [[Cigar Lake Mine]], the [[Cluff Lake mine]] (now closed), the [[Key Lake mine]] and the [[McClean Lake mine]].
Other uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin include the [[Cigar Lake Mine]], the [[Key Lake mine]] and the [[McClean Lake mine]]. Former mines include the [[Cluff Lake mine]] and [[Gunnar Mine|Gunnar mine]].


[[Dike (geology)|Dike]]s in the Athabasca Basin are related to the giant [[Mackenzie dike swarm]].<ref>[http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/gmna/comparisons1.html Comparisons of the 2005 Geologic Map of North America with the 1965 Map, Areas 1-4] {{wayback|url=http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/gmna/comparisons1.html |date=20070914105749 }}</ref>
[[Dike (geology)|Dike]]s in the Athabasca Basin are related to the giant [[Mackenzie dike swarm]].<ref>[http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/gmna/comparisons1.html Comparisons of the 2005 Geologic Map of North America with the 1965 Map, Areas 1-4] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914105749/http://esp.cr.usgs.gov/info/gmna/comparisons1.html |date=September 14, 2007 }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 52: Line 55:


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.arctic-caribou.com/range_map.html Map of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou range]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20000914205617/http://www.arctic-caribou.com/range_map.html Map of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou range]
*[http://ottawa-rasc.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Odale_articles_Carswell Aerial exploration of the Carswell impact structure and maps of the Athabasca Basin]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150609104613/http://ottawa-rasc.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Odale_articles_Carswell Aerial exploration of the Carswell impact structure and maps of the Athabasca Basin]
*[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-A-F/Canada--Uranium/#.UeH0x0HVCNy Uranium in Canada]
*[http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-A-F/Canada--Uranium/#.UeH0x0HVCNy Uranium in Canada]
*[http://www.investcom.com/moneyshow/uranium_athabasca.htm Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan]
*[http://www.investcom.com/moneyshow/uranium_athabasca.htm Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan]
*[http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/minerals/uranium/uranium.html Uranium in Alberta]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090708075953/http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/minerals/uranium/uranium.html Uranium in Alberta]
*[http://www.dmec.ca/ex07-dvd/E07/pdfs/51.pdf Overview of Athabascan Unconformity Uranium deposits]
*[http://www.dmec.ca/ex07-dvd/E07/pdfs/51.pdf Overview of Athabascan Unconformity Uranium deposits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127204126/http://www.dmec.ca/ex07-dvd/E07/pdfs/51.pdf |date=2022-01-27 }}


{{Authority control}}
{{coord|58.446|N|108.332|W|display=title}}
{{Coord|58.446|N|108.332|W|display=title}}


[[Category:Landforms of Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Landforms of Saskatchewan]]
Line 68: Line 72:
[[Category:Uranium mines in Canada]]
[[Category:Uranium mines in Canada]]
[[Category:Geology of Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Geology of Saskatchewan]]
[[Category:Geology of Alberta]]

Latest revision as of 22:12, 20 December 2024

This article is about the uranium mining region near Lake Athabasca. Not to be confused with the drainage basin of the Athabasca River.
Location of the Athabasca Basin in the Canadian Shield
class=notpageimage|
Uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin

The Athabasca Basin is a region in the Canadian Shield of northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada. It is best known as the world's leading source of high-grade uranium and currently supplies about 20% of the world's uranium.[1]

The basin is located just to the south of Lake Athabasca, west of Wollaston Lake, and encloses almost all of Cree Lake. It covers about 100,000 square kilometres (39,000 sq mi) in Saskatchewan and a small portion of Alberta. The surface of the basin consists of main sandstone sediment varying from 100 to 1,000 metres (330 to 3,280 ft) in depth. The uranium ore is mostly found at the base of this sandstone, at the point where it meets the basement.

On the northern and eastern edges are the communities of Fort Chipewyan in Alberta and Camsell Portage, Stony Rapids, Fond du Lac, Black Lake and Wollaston Lake in Saskatchewan. Much of the Athabasca Basin is within the migratory range of the Beverly caribou herd [2] a major source of sustenance for the Denesuline communities.

Within the basin are the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park on the south shore of Lake Athabasca and the Carswell crater. The Cluff Lake mine site is located in the crater area.

Points North Landing, a permanent supply depot and camp, serves the eastern area of the basin.

Road access to the area is provided by Saskatchewan Highway 955 from the village of La Loche on the west side and Saskatchewan Highway 914 and Saskatchewan Highway 905 north of the town of La Ronge on the east side.

Uranium mines

[edit]
McArthur River uranium mine aerial view
Claude Lake near the Cluff Lake mine

Uranium was discovered in the region in the 1940s. The first mine in the area was the Rabbit Lake Mine, which was discovered in 1968 by Gulf Mineral Resources and opened in 1975. The most important current mine is Cameco's McArthur River mine, the world's largest high-grade uranium mine. Other uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin include the Cigar Lake Mine, the Key Lake mine and the McClean Lake mine. Former mines include the Cluff Lake mine and Gunnar mine.

Dikes in the Athabasca Basin are related to the giant Mackenzie dike swarm.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "World Uranium Mining". World Nuclear Association. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  2. ^ "The Beverly Caribou Herd: Continental Wilderness Travellers" (PDF). taiga.net. Archived from the original on 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  3. ^ Comparisons of the 2005 Geologic Map of North America with the 1965 Map, Areas 1-4 Archived September 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
[edit]

58°26′46″N 108°19′55″W / 58.446°N 108.332°W / 58.446; -108.332

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Athabasca_Basin&oldid=1264171321"