Final Federal Approval For The Rook I Uranium Project

VANCOUVER – NexGen Energy Ltd. reported that the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has approved NexGen’s Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct for the Rook I Project. This approval comes 14 business days after the final 2-part Commission Hearing process which was concluded. With Environmental Assessment (EA) approval from the Province of Saskatchewan received in November 2023 and receipt of all other necessary Provincial authorizations, the issuance of the Licence marks the final regulatory approval required to initiate full construction of the Project.
Located in Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin, NexGen’s Rook I Project has been methodically advanced and designed to meet NexGen’s elite environmental, safety, social and economic standards, working in lockstep with local Indigenous communities and partners. When fully operational, the Rook I Project will be the largest single source and environmentally elite uranium mine globally, incorporating state-of-the-art extraction and safety systems. In production, Rook I is capable of producing up to 30 million pounds annually – representing over 20% of the current global uranium fuel supply and over 50% of western world supply.
With approvals secured, the Company is set to begin construction of the Rook I Project, advancing long-term economic benefits, skilled jobs, sustainable growth for the region, and Canada’s nuclear energy leadership. The team, procurement, engineering, vendors, contractors and capital are in place to commence construction activities with advanced site and shaft sinking preparation. NexGen has already made its Final Investment Decision with official construction commencing in summer 2026. As per the Rook I Project schedule, construction will take 4 years from commencement.
Leigh Curyer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The approval represents one of the most rigorous and comprehensive regulatory processes undertaken for a resource project globally. This milestone is the result of the NexGen team’s steadfast and unrelenting focus over 12 years understanding and delivering our objectives honestly and incorporating a culture of excellence. I am incredibly proud of our team – their resilience, accountability, and dedication to advancing Rook I optimally across all aspects. This approach is what has defined our success to date and will continue through successful execution of the construction and operations phases. We moved with purpose and confidence to deliver a new standard for resources development.
On behalf of the NexGen Board of Directors, Executive team, and staff, we extend our sincere gratitude to our Indigenous Nation partners, local communities, Premier Scott Moe and the Government of Saskatchewan, Government partners, regulatory bodies, and all valued stakeholders who have contributed their expertise, trust, and dedication to the successful advancement of this generational Project over the past decade. Further, I would also like to acknowledge the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in demonstrating and delivering the most rigorous review for a resources project globally, ensuring Canada leads the world in the safe and environmentally sound development of mining.
The world is changing fast, and NexGen’s Rook I is now ready to be a significant contributor to global requirements for nuclear energy and Canada’s role as an energy superpower. As global demand for reliable, clean, baseload nuclear energy continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace, uranium is the critical fuel for powering industrial electrification and the digital infrastructure of tomorrow. Simply put, energy is the key to our global growth. Nuclear is the chosen energy to supply that economic growth. NexGen is the foundational and necessary key to fueling that growth. Our team, our asset, and this moment are aligned in a way that comes along once in a generation. Together with our Nation partners and our many valued stakeholders, we are well prepared and ready to execute the construction phase of the Rook I Project with the same scope, schedule and cost precision that has defined NexGen since incorporation in 2011.”