Because of historically low spot uranium prices, several producers globally have had to reduce output
and in some cases retrench staff. New mine development’s are occurring
however, with several new deposits being developed in Canada. All of Canada's uranium production is sourced from the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan which has resources estimated at 365 000t uranium. 1998 and 1999 saw a major reshuffle by Canada’s large uranium producers Cogema and Cameco
with several new acquisitions and take-overs being completed. Canada still remains the world’s foremost uranium producer. Canada’s Cameco has two of the world’s largest uranium mines.
Production continued to drop in the USA to 1800 t uranium. All of the USA's uranium production comes from in situ leach operations.
Cameco has extensive operations in Canada (four operations) and the USA (two
operations).
Cogema Resources (subsidiary of French Cogema) has a wide interest in nearly all uranium projects in the USA and
Canada. Of note is its share in some of the larger projects in Canada.
