10:18 EDT Tuesday, May 19, 2009

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - May 19, 2009) -

ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN CDN $ (UNLESS NOTED)

Cameco Corporation (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ) announced today that it is preparing to resume uranium hexafluoride (UF6) production at its Port Hope conversion facility. Cameco has signed a new contract with its historic supplier of hydrofluoric acid (HF) under terms that are mutually beneficial to both parties. HF is a primary feed material for the production of UF6.

Production of UF6 at Cameco's Port Hope conversion facility has been suspended since December 2008 as the company could not obtain a supply of HF on acceptable terms.

Deliveries of HF are expected to resume within the next month. Cameco continues to negotiate with other suppliers to broaden and diversify its supply base. The company intends to sign agreements with one or more additional suppliers in the near future.

Cameco plans to recall 25 employees who were temporarily laid off when UF6 production was suspended. Recall notices will be issued within the next week.

UF6 production is expected to resume early in the third quarter of 2009. Cameco will provide an update if there is any change to its 2009 fuel services production estimate.

While UF6 production at Port Hope has been suspended, Cameco has met its delivery commitments to its customers. UF6 deliveries were made from inventory and contracted supply under the agreement with Springfields Fuels Limited. In addition, the company, with the co-operation of its customers, arranged for voluntary deferrals of UF6 deliveries and made limited purchases of UF6 conversion services.

Cameco, with its head office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is one of the world's largest uranium producers. The company's uranium products are used to generate electricity in nuclear energy plants around the world, providing one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Cameco's shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.