Saskatchewan 

NexGen's Rook I proceeds to provincial public review

22 August 2023

NexGen Energy has completed the Provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) technical review process and submission of the Final Provincial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for its flagship Rook I project to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.

Rook I (Image: NexGen)

The project, which is in Saskatchewan's southwestern Athabasca Basin, includes underground and surface facilities to support the mining and processing of uranium ore from the Arrow Deposit. The ministry has confirmed completion of its conformity review of the revised EIS submitted by NexGen in July 2023, and the planned advancement of the Provincial EA to the public review stage.

The next step under the Provincial EA process will be a 30-day public review, which is expected to begin on, or before, 2 September. After this, Ministry of Environment staff will compile the requisite EA materials and prepare a recommendation to the Saskatchewan Minister of Environment, who will then make a decision on the advancement of the project.

NexGen CEO Leigh Curyer said the submission of the Final Provincial EIS is a significant step in the regulatory advancement of the Rook I Project, marking the completion of a "robust and thorough" technical review process, and incorporating the diverse perspectives of multiple agencies and stakeholders.

"We are incredibly proud of the contribution and partnership of all four local Indigenous communities in the local project area whom, through industry-leading Benefit Agreements, have all confirmed their formal and legal consent for the company and project throughout its entire lifespan," he said. "In parallel to today's exciting milestone, we focus on the successful completion of the Federal EA and licensing process working diligently on delivering generational benefits to Saskatchewan and Canada to secure the clean energy transition for the globe."

NexGen describes Rook I as the largest development-stage uranium project in Canada. Rook I hosts the Arrow 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 providing a comprehensive EA process in accordance with their separate requirements and guidelines. NexGen completed submission of all the final components of the complete licence application package earlier this year.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News