The world's second largest uranium deposit, discovered in 1983 and operated by a joint venture of Cameco (50%), COGEMA, TEPCO and Idemitsu. Cigar Lake is the world's highest grade uranium mine. In 2018 the average grade of ore (U308) was 14.48%.

The deposit has also been studied as a natural analogue for nuclear waste disposal, with a very concentrated uranium oxide core isolated by a clay mineral halo.

Located about 660 km north of Saskatoon.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

34 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Anatase

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Reyx, J., Ruhlmann, F. (1993) Metallographic study of different mineral assemblages and chemical characteristics of uranium minerals of the Cigar Lake ore deposit (Saskatchewan, Canada). Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 30(4), 705-719.

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Bruneton, P. (1987) Geology of the Cigar Lake Uranium Deposit (Saskatchewan, Canada). In: Saskatchewan Geological Society Special Publication Number 8: Economic Minerals of Saskatchewan, Proceedings of a Symposium Held in Regina, Saskatchewan 17 & 18 November 1986, 99-119.

ⓘ Chalcocite

Formula: Cu₂S

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Clausthalite

Formula: PbSe

References:

ⓘ Cobaltite

Formula: CoAsS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Coffinite

Formula: U(SiO₄) · nH₂O

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Cordierite

Formula: (Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)

References:

ⓘ Covellite

Formula: CuS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Digenite

Formula: Cu₉S₅

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Dravite

Formula: NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

References:

ⓘ Galena

Formula: PbS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ 'Garnet Group'

Formula: X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

ⓘ Gersdorffite

Formula: NiAsS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Glaucodot

Formula: (Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Graphite

Formula: C

References:

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

Reyx, J., Ruhlmann, F. (1993) Étude métallographique des différentes associations minérales et caractérisation chimique des minéraux uranifères du gisement de Cigar Lake (Saskatchewan, Canada) [Metallographic study of different mineral assemblages and chemical characteristics of uranium minerals of the Cigar Lake ore deposit (Saskatchewan, Canada)]. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 30(4), 705-719.

ⓘ Ilmenite

Formula: Fe²⁺TiO₃

References:

ⓘ Jordisite

Formula: MoS₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Löllingite

Formula: FeAs₂

References:

ⓘ Marcasite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Maucherite

Formula: Ni₁₁As₈

References:

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

cgc.rncan.gc.ca (n.d.) http://cgc.rncan.gc.ca/mindep/synth_dep/uranium/pdf/deposit_synthesis.uranium.jefferson.pdf.

ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite

Formula: K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂

References:

cgc.rncan.gc.ca (n.d.) http://cgc.rncan.gc.ca/mindep/synth_dep/uranium/pdf/deposit_synthesis.uranium.jefferson.pdf.

ⓘ Nickeline

Formula: NiAs

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Paraguanajuatite

Formula: Bi₂Se₃

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Pyrite var. Bravoite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)S₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Rammelsbergite

Formula: NiAs₂

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Siderite

Formula: FeCO₃

References:

ⓘ Sillimanite

Formula: Al₂(SiO₄)O

References:

ⓘ Skutterudite

Formula: CoAs₃

References:

ⓘ Smythite

Formula: (Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)

References:

ⓘ Sphalerite

Formula: ZnS

References:

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

ⓘ Sudoite

Formula: Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈

References:

Percival, J.B., Kodama, H. (1989) Sudoite from Cigar Lake, Saskatchewan. The Canadian Mineralogist, 27:4, 633-641.

ⓘ Uraninite

Formula: UO₂

References:

Pagel, M., Ruhlmann, F., Bruneton, P. (1993) The Cigar Lake uranium deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 30(4), 651-652.

ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende

Formula: UO₂

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Graphite	1.CB.05a	C
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Maucherite	2.AB.15	Ni₁₁As₈
ⓘ	Chalcocite	2.BA.05	Cu₂S
ⓘ	Digenite	2.BA.10	Cu₉S₅
ⓘ	Bornite	2.BA.15	Cu₅FeS₄
ⓘ	Covellite	2.CA.05a	CuS
ⓘ	Sphalerite	2.CB.05a	ZnS
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Nickeline	2.CC.05	NiAs
ⓘ	Smythite	2.CC.10	(Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)
ⓘ	Clausthalite	2.CD.10	PbSe
ⓘ	Galena	2.CD.10	PbS
ⓘ	Paraguanajuatite	2.DC.05	Bi₂Se₃
ⓘ	Jordisite	2.EA.30	MoS₂
ⓘ	Pyrite var. Bravoite	2.EB.05a	(Fe,Ni)S₂
ⓘ		2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Marcasite	2.EB.10a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Glaucodot	2.EB.10c	(Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS
ⓘ	Löllingite	2.EB.15a	FeAs₂
ⓘ	Rammelsbergite	2.EB.15a	NiAs₂
ⓘ	Cobaltite	2.EB.25	CoAsS
ⓘ	Gersdorffite	2.EB.25	NiAsS
ⓘ	Skutterudite	2.EC.05	CoAs₃
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Ilmenite	4.CB.05	Fe²⁺TiO₃
ⓘ	Anatase	4.DD.05	TiO₂
ⓘ	Uraninite var. Pitchblende	4.DL.05	UO₂
ⓘ		4.DL.05	UO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Siderite	5.AB.05	FeCO₃
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Coffinite	9.AD.30	U(SiO₄) · nH₂O
ⓘ	Sillimanite	9.AF.05	Al₂(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Cordierite	9.CJ.10	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
ⓘ	Dravite	9.CK.05	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
ⓘ	Muscovite var. Illite	9.EC.15	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
ⓘ		9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Sudoite	9.EC.55	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Garnet Group'	-	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Coffinite	U(SiO₄) · nH₂O
H	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
B	Boron
B	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Graphite	C
C	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Coffinite	U(SiO₄) · nH₂O
O	ⓘ Cordierite	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
O	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
O	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende	UO₂
O	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
O	ⓘ Sillimanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
O	ⓘ Uraninite	UO₂
O	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Cordierite	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
Mg	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Mg	ⓘ Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Cordierite	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
Al	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Sillimanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Al	ⓘ Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Coffinite	U(SiO₄) · nH₂O
Si	ⓘ Cordierite	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
Si	ⓘ Dravite	NaMg₃Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Sillimanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Si	ⓘ Sudoite	Mg₂Al₃(Si₃Al)O₁₀)(OH)₈
Si	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
S	ⓘ Pyrite var. Bravoite	(Fe,Ni)S₂
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
S	ⓘ Cobaltite	CoAsS
S	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
S	ⓘ Digenite	Cu₉S₅
S	ⓘ Galena	PbS
S	ⓘ Gersdorffite	NiAsS
S	ⓘ Glaucodot	(Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS
S	ⓘ Jordisite	MoS₂
S	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Smythite	(Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)
S	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
Ti	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite var. Bravoite	(Fe,Ni)S₂
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Cordierite	(Mg,Fe)₂Al₃(AlSi₅O₁₈)
Fe	ⓘ Glaucodot	(Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃
Fe	ⓘ Löllingite	FeAs₂
Fe	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Siderite	FeCO₃
Fe	ⓘ Smythite	(Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)
Co	Cobalt
Co	ⓘ Cobaltite	CoAsS
Co	ⓘ Glaucodot	(Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS
Co	ⓘ Skutterudite	CoAs₃
Ni	Nickel
Ni	ⓘ Pyrite var. Bravoite	(Fe,Ni)S₂
Ni	ⓘ Gersdorffite	NiAsS
Ni	ⓘ Maucherite	Ni₁₁As₈
Ni	ⓘ Nickeline	NiAs
Ni	ⓘ Rammelsbergite	NiAs₂
Ni	ⓘ Smythite	(Fe,Ni)_3+xS₄ (x=0-0.3)
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Cu	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
Cu	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
Cu	ⓘ Digenite	Cu₉S₅
Zn	Zinc
Zn	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Cobaltite	CoAsS
As	ⓘ Gersdorffite	NiAsS
As	ⓘ Glaucodot	(Co_0.50Fe_0.50)AsS
As	ⓘ Löllingite	FeAs₂
As	ⓘ Maucherite	Ni₁₁As₈
As	ⓘ Nickeline	NiAs
As	ⓘ Rammelsbergite	NiAs₂
As	ⓘ Skutterudite	CoAs₃
Se	Selenium
Se	ⓘ Clausthalite	PbSe
Se	ⓘ Paraguanajuatite	Bi₂Se₃
Mo	Molybdenum
Mo	ⓘ Jordisite	MoS₂
Pb	Lead
Pb	ⓘ Clausthalite	PbSe
Pb	ⓘ Galena	PbS
Bi	Bismuth
Bi	ⓘ Paraguanajuatite	Bi₂Se₃
U	Uranium
U	ⓘ Coffinite	U(SiO₄) · nH₂O
U	ⓘ Uraninite var. Pitchblende	UO₂
U	ⓘ Uraninite	UO₂

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Athabasca basinBasin
Hearne Craton
- Hearne ProvinceShield

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References

(1985) Mining Annual Review: 312.

Percival, J.B., Kodama, H. (1989) Sudoite from Cigar Lake, Saskatchewan. The Canadian Mineralogist, 27:4, 633-641.

www.cri.ca (n.d.) http://www.cri.ca/uranium/cigarlake.html

www.ir.gov.sk.ca (2003) http://www.ir.gov.sk.ca/dbsearch/MinDepositQuery/Default.asp?ID=1856

www.cameco.com (n.d.) http://www.cameco.com/mining/cigar_lake/

en.wikipedia.org (n.d.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigar_Lake_Mine

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Cigar Lake Mine, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, CanadaiRegional Level TypesCigar Lake MineMine (Active) Athabasca BasinBasin SaskatchewanProvince CanadaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

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Mineral List

Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Cigar Lake Mine, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada i
Regional Level Types
Cigar Lake Mine Mine (Active)
Athabasca Basin Basin
Saskatchewan Province
Canada Country