Saskatchewan mine faces final federal safety hearing.

Hearings in Saskatoon are under way for NexGen’s Rook I uranium mine before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which has 120 days after the hearing concludes to decide whether to grant a licence.

Hearings in Saskatoon are now considering the future of NexGen Energy’s Rook I uranium project in the Athabasca Basin. The project was first submitted in 2019 and received provincial approval for an underground mine in 2023. This second round of federal hearings is being held by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and concludes on Thursday. Key developments: - The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is holding a second round of public hearings in Saskatoon after an initial hearing in November. The commission will assess 13 evaluation points. - NexGen’s Rook I site is in the Athabasca Basin, about 150 km north of La Loche; the proposed mill would process about 1,400 tonnes of ore per day and the company has cited potential production of up to 14 million kilograms of uranium annually. - NexGen estimates the project would generate roughly $32 billion in jobs and infrastructure for Saskatchewan and $38 billion in federal revenue over the mine’s life, and has projected 350 construction jobs and about 490 operating jobs over 24 years. - Four nearby Indigenous communities — Birch Narrows Dene Nation, Buffalo River Dene Nation, Clearwater River Dene Nation and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan Local 39 — had representatives at the hearing and have been involved in discussions about the project. - The project passed the federal environmental assessment; public hearing discussion focused on environmental safety, including water contamination risks and effects on traditional hunting and country foods. - CNSC registrar Candace Salmon said the commission will examine areas such as radiation protection, water, fish and habitat. The commission has 120 days from the end of the hearing to issue its decision. Summary: If the CNSC grants a licence, Rook I would become one of Canada’s largest uranium operations and NexGen has presented substantial economic and employment estimates for the province and federal government. The commission’s review will cover environmental and safety points raised at the hearings, and a formal decision is expected within 120 days of the hearing’s close.