North American uranium producer Cameco has received conditional environmental approval to develop the Kintyre uranium project in Western Australia.

New York Stock exchange listed Cameco and joint venture partner Mitsubishi Development bought the deposit in the remote east Pilbara region near Telfer in 2008.

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West Australian environment minister Albert Jacob has conditionally approved the project after more than four years of consultation and environmental studies.

“We are confident the Kintyre project can be constructed, operated and closed in a way which maintains the ecological functions and environmental values in the area and will ensure all regulatory conditions are met,” Cameco Australia managing director Brian Reilly said.

Approval is still required from federal environment minister Greg Hunt.

Cameco also has operations in Canada, the United States and Asia.