Workers at the Cigar Lake uranium mine have successfully sunk a second underground shaft at the site.

The milestone was reached yesterday and video of it was posted on the company’s website.

Cameco spokesman Gord Struthers explains the second shaft will enable them to move in larger equipment, as well as provide enhanced ventilation and another elevator.

Struthers notes the development adds another layer of safety in that it provides another way out of the mine.

In 2006, the mine began to flood — a situation that was addressed until a second flood happened in 2008, which derailed most of the company’s timeline.

Struthers says Cameco is still on track to start up the mine by the middle of 2013.