Stony Rapid’s Merv McDonald retires after a 43- year career at Cameco 

October 2, 2025 in News
Explorer: Fall 2025

 By Deht’anuhzeh Noey 

On June 1, 1982, Merv first stepped foot on the Rabbit Lake mine site as a young mill trainee. What he didn’t know then was that this first day would mark the beginning of a remarkable 43-year career dedicated to growth, safety, and leadership at Cameco. 

Over the decades, Merv steadily advanced through the ranks — from trainee to lead-hand in the mid-1990s, and finally to his long-standing role as the mill supervisor in 1998. In that position, he has guided countless coworkers with his knowledge, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to safety. While reflecting on his time, Merv recalls some of the biggest changes he’s witnessed: the expansion of the mill in the mid-1980s, and major upgrades around 2000, including the construction of a new high pH building for water treatment. While the years are filled with countless memories, one that stands out most to him is weathering the challenges of industry layoffs — a reminder of both resilience and the value of strong teams. 

For Merv, however, the heart of his career has always been about the people. “The good people to be around with, good people to work within various departments — it makes it all that much fun. After time  goes by, they become like family.” 

 That sense of family, combined with his dedication to safety, has defined his approach: making sure everyone works safely so that each two-week rotation ends with everyone returning home. “Knowing that brings happiness that I did my job right,” he says. 

When asked what kept him motivated for over four decades, Merv’s answer is straightforward: supporting his family. Along the way, he also made it his mission to pass along knowledge to the next generation of workers, encouraging them to train, learn, and always bring their best to each role. 

Looking back, Merv is most proud of his “43 years” — a career that not only helped build the company but also left an impact on those who worked alongside him. Outside of the mine, he enjoys time outdoors boating and fishing on Lake Athabasca in the summer, snowmobiling in the winter, and relaxing at home watching TV with his grandsons. He’s been a board member for Athabasca Basin Development since 2017 and joined the Ya’thi Néné Board of Directors in 2024. He also spent about 15 years in politics, serving as Mayor of Stony Rapids and town council in past roles. He loves to volunteer for his community and he is often seen cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for barbecues, fundraisers, and community events. 

His message to his colleagues and community is simple yet meaningful: “Enjoy work and live a happy life.” 

After 43 years, 3 months and 10 days of service, Merv officially retired on from his position at Cameco August 12, leaving behind his true testament to dedication, resilience, and the importance of people.