A tractor-trailer carrying uranium concentrate or yellowcake to Cameco's Blind River refinery was involved in a minor traffic accident on Sunday. The incident took place on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) between Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Although Cameco says the contracted transportation company is investigating to determine the cause of the accident, local newspaper Sault Star reported that what happened was that a northbound flatbed trailer carrying steel lost traction on the Montreal River Hill and some 10 minutes later Cameco's truck tried to go around the jackknifed flatbed which caused both vehicles to become lodged against each other. The daily cites spokesperson for the provincial Ministry of Environment, Gary Wheeler, as its source.
Following the accident, the Saskatoon-based miner dispatched its response team to the scene, while the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, local police and the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre were also monitoring the event.
According to Cameco (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ), the exterior of its trailer had a minor impact but the load was not affected, which means that there was no damage to either the public or the environment.
Blind River is the world's largest commercial uranium refinery, with 234 million of kgU of licenced production capacity.