NexGen Energy Begins Construction on Rook I Uranium Mine

NexGen Energy Ltd. began construction on Thursday for the Rook I Project, an underground uranium mine located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan. Centered on the Arrow deposit, the project is expected to take four years to build, with production scheduled to begin in late 2030.

Once operational, the mine could produce up to 30 million pounds of uranium annually. This output would represent approximately 20% of the current global supply and 50% of the supply in the western hemisphere. The project is estimated to generate an initial $32.5 billion in total economic impact for Saskatchewan.

To reduce its environmental footprint, the mine will utilize underground tailings storage. The development comes amid rising global demand for low-emissions nuclear energy. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Member of Parliament Buckley Belanger.

CEO Leigh Curyer stated that the project now transitions from demonstration to delivery for the benefit of local communities and the world. The project remains subject to mandatory licensing and regulation by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to ensure health and safety.