Province investigates possible uranium leak after collision near Montreal River

A possible uranium spill prompted an investigation from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) following a collision between two tractor trailers on the Montreal River hill over the weekend.

MOE spokesperson Gary Wheeler told SooToday via email that just after noon on Sunday, the ministry’s spills action centre was advised of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 17.

A northbound flatbed trailer lost traction and jack-knifed in the southbound lane. A southbound tractor trailer — carrying drums of uranium concentrate known as ‘yellow cake’ — then attempted to go around the jack-knifed trailer.

Wheeler said the two tractor trailers "became lodged against each other, causing a small puncture (30 cm) to the cargo box of the trailer carrying the uranium concentrate."

The uranium concentrate was on its way to the Cameco uranium refinery in Blind River.

Cameco sent its hazardous materials response team to the site. The team confirmed that all drums were intact and that there was no radioactive hazard.

Ministry staff also attended the scene and confirmed that there was no spill of uranium concentrate or fuel due to the collision and no impact to the environment, Wheeler said.