Construction has commenced on a new uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan by NexGen Energy Ltd. The underground mine is situated in the southern Athabasca Basin, approximately 130 kilometers north of La Loche. The company is investing $2.2 billion over a four-year construction period to develop one of the world’s largest uranium sources.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the mine site, with Premier Scott Moe, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and local leaders from Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Buckley Belanger in attendance. Initial work has begun on surface infrastructure, and shaft development is scheduled to commence in 2027. Additionally, the existing 914-meter airstrip is being expanded to 1,780 meters.
NexGen CEO Leigh Curyer expressed the challenges they faced to reach this point, highlighting their initial drilling efforts in 2012 that did not yield results. However, in January 2014, on the eighth drill hole, they discovered mineralization, marking the beginning of what Curyer referred to as the world’s most significant energy fuel project.
The mine aims to address the increasing demand for electricity, with Curyer emphasizing the role of nuclear energy in meeting this demand. The company projects an annual uranium production capacity of up to 30 million pounds, equivalent to around 20% of the current global supply.
In March, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission granted NexGen a construction license for the mine and mill, with an operational license pending approval. Once operational, the mine is expected to create 459 full-time jobs and operate for 24 years. Ongoing exploration in the area suggests potential development of additional uranium deposits nearby.
NexGen has secured support from Indigenous communities affected by the project, signing benefit agreements with Clearwater River Dene Nation, Birch Narrows Dene Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, and Métis Nation—Saskatchewan. These agreements typically cover employment guarantees, training opportunities, contracts for local businesses, and financial benefits.
Premier Scott Moe emphasized the economic opportunities the mine brings to the region, highlighting the importance of ethical resource development that benefits local communities and contributes to global clean energy initiatives. Uranium mining in Saskatchewan currently employs over 2,300 individuals, with nearly half of the workforce residing in the northern region.
In a separate development, Denison Mines Corp. is constructing the Phoenix uranium mine and mill site in the eastern Athabasca Basin. The estimated initial capital cost is $600 million, with production slated to commence in 2028. Denison plans to utilize an in-situ recovery method, pumping an acidic solution into the ore body to extract uranium, potentially making it the first mine to employ this technique in the region. The company anticipates operating the mine for a decade, with proven and probable uranium reserves of 56.7 million pounds.
