Company said it would keep its Beatrix West gold mine running for as long as it makes a profit, on average, over any continuous period of three months.
Total gold consumption, including jewellery and bullions but excluding the central bank’s purchases, rose 16% to 815.9 tonnes in the first nine months of the year.
The equipment maker has a very strong presence in Europe, Australia and Africa, but says in North and South America there's plenty of room for improvement.
Pourbaix replaces Brian Ferguson, who announced his retirement earlier this year following Cenovus’ $17.7 billion acquisition of oil sands and natural gas assets from ConocoPhillips.
Cameco said its most immediate goal was to remain competitive and in a position to be among the first to respond when the market calls for more uranium.