Denison Receives Provincial Environmental Assessment Approval for Wheeler River Project, Canada
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Denison Mines has received Ministerial approval under The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan) to proceed with the development of the in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine planned for the Wheeler River Project.
“We thank the Province of Saskatchewan for entrusting Denison to proceed with the development of the project, which is expected to set a superior standard of sustainability as the first ISR uranium mine in Canada,” said David Cates, president and CEO of Denison.
“We applaud the work of the Provincial Government to uphold the province’s rigorous environmental regulations, while simultaneously recognizing the important role that the natural resources sector can play in driving societal well being. The Province of Saskatchewan is truly a leading jurisdiction for sustainable natural resource investments,” added Cates.
“I’d also like to applaud our own environmental, regulatory, sustainability, and technical teams for working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment, Indigenous nations, local communities, and other interested parties during the EA process. Importantly, completion of the provincial EA represents one of the final regulatory milestones necessary for Denison to commence construction of the Phoenix ISR mine, which is on track to become Canada’s next new large-scale uranium mine,” concluded Cates.
As part of Denison’s strategy to effectively harmonize the Federal and Provincial environmental assessment for the project, the Provincial EA was submitted for final approval in late 2024 after Denison successfully completed multiple key milestones in the Federal regulatory process, including completion of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s (CNSC) rigorous technical review phase, and acceptance by the CNSC of the company’s final environmental impact statement for the project. As a result of this approach, the Federal and Provincial EAs for the project are substantially the same and no subsequent revisions for conformance are expected to be required.
“Saskatchewan is the world’s second-largest uranium producer, and remains a destination of choice for mining investment due to our abundant natural resources and strong regulatory environment. The province continues to be a national leader in safe and sustainable mining practices, well positioning Canada as an emerging energy superpower,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
“As demand for these resources increase, we are pleased to see this project move ahead, further enhancing Saskatchewan’s world class energy sector, while bringing new jobs and opportunities to northern communities,” added Moe.
“I would like to congratulate Denison Mines on this significant project milestone with their Wheeler River Project. We look forward to working with Denison as this project progresses and are excited that they have chosen Saskatchewan as a place to do business,” said the Honourable Travis Keisig, Saskatchewan Minister of Environment.
With the Provincial EA approved, the remaining regulatory requirements to commence construction of the ISR mine planned for the Phoenix deposit include receipt of the Provincial pollutant control facility permit, as well as the Federal approval of the EA and receipt of the Federal license to prepare the site and construct. Both outstanding Federal approvals are the subject of the CNSC public hearings for the project scheduled in October and December 2025.
Denison Mines is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The company has an effective 95 percent interest in its flagship Wheeler River Uranium Project, which is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Denison’s interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5 percent ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture, which owns several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill, contracted to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17 percent interest in the Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits, and a 67.41 percent interest in the THT and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property.
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