Minister Responsible for Energy and Resources Tim McMillan recently signed a supplementary protocol to the existing Canada-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. The protocol will enable Saskatchewan's uranium companies to increase their exports to China.
"This is great news for our province and our uranium producers," McMillan said. "Our companies are well positioned to supply product to an expanding market and to a country that has the world's fastest growing nuclear energy program. This agreement means new jobs and prosperity for the workers and communities the industry supports."
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird signed the protocol today with Liu Tienan, head of China's National Energy Administration. Once approved on the federal level, the protocol will govern the export of Canadian uranium to China, supporting China's energy needs and Canada's long-term economic interests and nuclear non-proliferation policy.
Today's signing proceeds out of the completion of successful negotiations during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's February trip to China.
"We support the work done by the Prime Minister, and the federal government on this file," McMillan said. "Our government, through the leadership of Premier Wall, has long advocated for this agreement and the opening up of this huge new market for our producers."
Saskatchewan is the world's second-leading producer of uranium and the Athabasca Basin contains the world's largest, high-grade uranium deposits. Uranium production in the province is expected to nearly double by 2017. Currently, more than 40 per cent of workers in Saskatchewan northern mines are aboriginal.
