Ministerial approval for NexGen uranium project
09 November 2023
Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment has given its approval for NexGen Energy to proceed with the development of its Rook I uranium project. NexGen is the first company in more than 20 years to receive full Provincial Environmental Assessment approval for a uranium project in Saskatchewan.
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Rook I (Image: NexGen)
The approval is a major milestone for the project, NexGen CEO Leigh Curyer said: "Throughout the rigorous EA process, the Government of Saskatchewan recognised the unparalleled value and future opportunities the Rook I Project will provide for local communities, Saskatchewan, and Canada." With this approval in place, the company has now submitted all responses to the federal technical review of the project's Environmental Impact Statement and is looking forward to the completion of the environmental assessment approval process, he added.
The company has lodged the initial applications for approvals of site earthworks, shaft sinking infrastructure, site water and mine waste management facilities, and associated ancillary infrastructure and services, and said it is continuously engaged with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment regarding these phases of development.
Rook I is 100% owned by NexGen and hosts the Arrow uranium deposit, with measured and indicated mineral resources of 256.7 million pounds U3O8 (98,739 tU) supporting an initial 10.7 year mine-life.
The company has adopted an integrated approach to the federal and provincial environmental licensing processes, with the provincial energy ministry and the federal regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, cooperating to share information while completing the environmental assessment process in accordance with their separate requirements and guidelines.
The project is located within the Clearwater Dene Nation, Birch Narrows Dene Nation and Buffalo River Dene Nation traditional territories, and the Métis Homeland. All four Local Priority Area Communities have formally confirmed their consent and support for NexGen's stewardship of the Rook I Project covering the full life-cycle of the mine.
Researched and written by World Nuclear News