Saskatchewan touts success in uranium, highlighting 2 mines under construction

Denison’s Wheeler River and NexGen’s Rook I projects have been approved, marking Canada’s first uranium mine approvals since 2004. Damian Smith reports.

Two uranium mining projects in northern Saskatchewan are moving closer to construction after receiving federal approval.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approved Denison Mines Corp.’s Wheeler River project on Feb. 19. Weeks later, on March 5, the commission approved NexGen Energy Ltd.’s Rook I project.

The pair of projects are the first uranium mines approved for construction in Canada since 2004, according to the province.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to see Denison and NexGen reach this significant stage with their projects,” Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry said in a news release.

“At each step of the approval process, these companies have advanced their projects responsibly by building relationships with local communities and through their commitment to environmental stewardship.”

He added the projects will create long-term economic opportunities, especially in northern Indigenous communities, and boost Saskatchewan’s uranium leadership.

“For Saskatchewan uranium and Saskatchewan reactors, it spells out good news all around. We’re a stable province and a stable country with a great source of uranium, the best uranium you’re going to find in this world.”

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Denison President and CEO David Cates said early construction has begun at the Phoenix site within the Wheeler River project, with preparations underway for full-scale work, noting it will be Canada’s first In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium mine and a major step forward for the industry.

ISR mining consists of injecting water and other solutions through various wells into a certain area. The solution dissolves the uranium and is then pumped out using recovery wells.

The uranium is then extracted from the solution with the help of a processing plant.

“We have a diverse portfolio of projects including our flagship Wheeler River project – which consists of the Phoenix In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium mine, and a potential future underground mine at the nearby Gryphon deposit," he said. “Phoenix will be the first ISR uranium mine to be built in Canada and reflects the best of Canadian mining ingenuity and determination.

According to Cates, Denison plans to sell in Canada, the United States, Western Europe, and democratic Asia.

“They [will] know that when they buy uranium from Saskatchewan that it’s been safely regulated and that it’s a sustainable source of production, and so they can purchase from us with great trust,” he said.

NexGen founder and CEO Leigh Curyer said approval of the Rook I project clears the way for construction of what he described as a “generational” development, expected to generate significant economic activity, including employment, procurement opportunities and infrastructure investment.

“[This will generate] an initial estimated $32.5 billion in total economic impact for Saskatchewan over its construction and initial operations phases,” he said. “This will mean generational careers and investments available for infrastructure in the North and across the province.

Both projects are located in the Athabasca Basin, home to some of the world’s highest-grade uranium deposits.

NextGen says 600 people have gone through 15 training programs to work on the mine, and the permitting process was the final step.

“Now all of the control is back in our hands, and the benefit of a long permitting process is that we’ve had a long time to test our plan, test our systems, build a culture, and develop a workforce,” said Travis McPherson, the chief commercial officer.

Together, the developments are expected to create more than 1,600 jobs during construction and employ more than 700 people once operational, with a combined estimated investment of $2.8 billion.

The province says demand for Saskatchewan uranium is rising as countries seek stable, low-emissions energy sources.

Saskatchewan’s uranium sector currently supports more than 3,300 jobs, including contractors, with about 43 per cent of mine-site workers coming from northern communities.