NexGen Energy has secured approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (MOE) to begin environmental assessments (EA) on its proposed on Rook I uranium mining project.
The acceptance of a project description by the CNSC and the MOE marks the commencement of EA on the project in accordance with the requirements of both the Environmental Assessment Act and the 2012 Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
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In order to obtain a licence to prepare and construct for the Rook I project, NexGen has also submitted an initial licence application to the CNSC under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
NexGen Energy CEO Leigh Curyer said: “The company is excited to work with all stakeholders during the EA process to meet the company’s objectives of setting a new elite standard in global environmental mine management and community advancement.
“With over five years of detailed data on the project being collected, analysed, verified independently and working alongside local communities, the company is in a unique position to advance the next stage of this exciting project development optimally.”
The proposed uranium mining and milling operation in the southwestern Athabasca Uranium Basin region in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, will be 100% owned and operated by NexGen.
NexGen started exploration at Rook I in 2013. Prior to this, the company engaged and established relationships with local Indigenous communities.
Rook I will include underground and surface facilities to support the mining and processing of uranium ore from the project’s mineral resource base, Arrow Deposit.
The scope of the project for the EA will include underground mine development; on-site mill for processing uranium ore; surface facilities; an underground tailings management facility; and water handling infrastructure and an effluent treatment circuit.
Throughout the various project development stages, NexGen proposes to incorporate new environmental designs.
