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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 Under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of October, 2006
Cameco Corporation
(Commission file No. 1-14228)
2121
11th Street West
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7M 1J3
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover
Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F o Form 40-F þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form
is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No þ
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b):
Exhibit Index
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Exhibit No. |
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Description |
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Page No. |
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1. |
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Press Release dated
October 23, 2006
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Date:
October 23, 2006
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Cameco Corporation
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By: |
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Gary M.S. Chad" |
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Gary M.S. Chad
Senior Vice-President, Governance,
Legal and Regulatory Affairs, and
Corporate Secretary |
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Share |
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web site address: |
TSX
NYSE
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CCO
CCJ
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www.cameco.com |
2121 11th Street West, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7M 1J3 Canada
Tel: (306) 956-6200 Fax: (306) 956-6201
Cameco Announces Construction Setback at Cigar Lake Project
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, October 23, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cameco Corporation reported today that Cigar Lake mine construction is expected to be delayed by at
least a year after the mine experienced a significant water inflow following a rock fall and a
portion of the underground development was allowed to fill with water. Production startup was
previously planned for early 2008. The remainder of the underground area remains dry. Cameco is
operator and majority owner of the Cigar Lake uranium project located in northern Saskatchewan.
The incident began at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, 2006, in the future production area that
previously had been dry. As a precautionary measure, non-essential personnel were temporarily
evacuated. There were no injuries and there was no impact on the environment.
At 8:45 p.m., in accordance with existing contingency plans, the company decided to close two
bulkhead doors to contain the water inflow within the future mining area. The mine shaft (shaft
#1), future processing area, pumps, refuge station and heat exchanger for freezing the ore are
being protected from the inflow and will be monitored as the pressure builds up behind the bulkhead
doors.
Cameco will be developing plans to restore access to this area which will provide a better estimate
of construction scheduling and likely startup date of production. At this point, the construction
delay is estimated to be at least a year. This incident is not expected to impact reserves at Cigar
Lake.
Given the expected delay in construction, the capital cost is expected to be significantly higher.
We will provide an estimate of these costs once the remediation plans have been developed. We will
also update our production forecast for Cigar Lake at that time.
Cameco has supply interruption protection in its contracts providing the right to reduce, defer or
cancel volumes on a pro-rata basis if we experience a meaningful shortfall in planned production.
This language protects about three-quarters of current contracted volumes. This percentage will
rise as old contracts expire. All contracts also contain standard force majeure protection.
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The baseload contracts put in place to support the development of Cigar Lake also contain supply
interruption language, which allows Cameco to reduce, defer or terminate Cigar Lake product
deliveries in the event of any delay or shortfall in Cigar Lake production.
Given the foregoing contractual protections, Cameco is adequately positioned to meet its
contractual obligations.
The Cigar Lake project is located 660 kilometres north of Saskatoon with a workforce of about 650
during the construction phase. The Cigar Lake mine is owned by Cameco Corporation (50%), AREVA
Resources Canada Inc. (37%), Idemitsu Uranium Exploration Canada Ltd. (8%), TEPCO Resources Inc.
(5%).
Cameco, with its head office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the worlds largest uranium producer.
The companys uranium products are used to generate electricity in nuclear energy plants around the
world, providing one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Camecos shares trade on
the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
We invite you to join us in a conference call at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time (9:30 a.m. Saskatoon time)
today, October 23, 2006 to discuss this news release. The call will be open to all members of the
investment community. Members of the media will be invited to ask questions at the end of the call.
In order to join the conference call today, please dial (416) 644-3414 or (800) 814-4862 (Canada
and US). An operator will put your call through. Please pass this invitation to colleagues in your
organization who have an interest in Cameco.
A recorded version of the proceedings will be available: on our web site, cameco.com, shortly after
the call, and on post view until midnight, Eastern time, Monday, November 13 by calling (416)
640-1917 or (877) 289-8525; (Passcode: 21207525).
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Statements contained in this news release which are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: volatility
and sensitivity to market prices for uranium, electricity in Ontario and gold; the impact of the
sales volume of uranium, conversion services, electricity generated and gold; competition; the
impact of change in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates; imprecision in reserve
estimates; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; unexpected
geological or hydrological conditions; political risks arising from operating in certain developing
countries; a possible deterioration in political support for nuclear energy; changes in government
regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; demand for nuclear power; replacement
of production and failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities;
legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the
electric utility industry in Ontario; Ontario electricity rate regulations; weather and other
natural phenomena; ability to maintain and further improve positive labour relations; operating
performance of the facilities; success of planned development projects; and other development and
operating risks.
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Although Cameco believes that the assumptions inherit in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the
date of this report. Cameco disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
- End -
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Investor & media inquiries:
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Alice Wong
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(306) 956-6337 |
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Investor inquiries:
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Bob Lillie
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(306) 956-6639 |
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Media inquiries:
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Lyle Krahn
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(306) 956-6316 |
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