Cameco’s Inkai uranium test mine located in the Kazakh Republic has achieved BSI OHSAS:18001 and ISO 14001:2004 certifications – internationally recognized standards for health and safety and environmental performance. "These certifications demonstrate that Cameco upholds high standards for protecting workers and the environment at its operations in Central Asia," said Sergei Breus, General Director of the Inkai project. "This achievement reflects years of effort by our people to meet the stringent requirements of both standards and will help us build on the strong relationship between JV Inkai and those involved with our operations."

Both BSI OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001:2004 establish a framework to assist companies in reaching their health, safety and environmental protection goals. The framework calls for annual independent audits and re-certification every three years. Inkai received its certifications following an audit of its facilities by Moody International of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The certification body is United Kingdom Accreditation Service. "Achieving these certifications sets the proper direction for health, safety and environmental protection at an early stage in the life of this operation," said Wayne Anderson Director, Health, Safety and Environment for Inkai. "We have a sound process to protect people and the environment which will provide benefits for decades to come."

The Inkai test mine is located in a remote area of south central Kazakhstan. The project is owned and operated by Joint Venture Inkai (JVI), which consists of Cameco (60%) and the National Atomic Company of Kazakhstan (KazAtomProm) (40%) which is owned by the Kazakh government. JVI received approval to construct a full-scale ISL mine and mill with capacity to produce 5.2 Mlb/y U3O8 from Kazakh authorities in 2005. The project is expected to achieve commercial production in 2007 ramping up to full production in 2010.