Commission issues a site preparation and construction licence to NexGen Energy Ltd. for its Rook I Project

From: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Backgrounder

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) announced the Commission’s decision to issue a licence to NexGen Energy Ltd. (NexGen) to prepare a site for and construct its Rook I Project. You can read the news release here.

The CNSC regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment; to implement Canada’s international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and to disseminate objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public. 

The Commission is a quasi-judicial administrative tribunal set up at arm’s length from government. It is independent from any political, government or private sector influence, and from CNSC staff. The Commission regulates nuclear safety, including through its licensing decisions.

In the past year, the Commission has issued licences for 3 new major nuclear projects: 

Canada’s nuclear regulatory framework is equipped to assess new nuclear projects in an efficient, consistent and transparent manner.

The CNSC is fully committed to regulatory efficiency while always remaining focused on the safety and security of people and the environment. That includes maintaining clear and fair processes that allow for rigorous review and meaningful public participation, including by Indigenous Nations and communities.

The Rook I Project

The Rook I Project (the Project) is a uranium mine and mill project proposed by NexGen. The purpose of the Project is to extract and process uranium from the Arrow deposit, a high-grade uranium deposit discovered by NexGen in 2014. The proposed Project would produce up to 14 million kilograms of triuranium octoxide (U₃O₈) annually for 24 years.

The Project site is located in northern Saskatchewan within the southern Athabasca Basin, adjacent to Patterson Lake along the upper Clearwater River system, approximately 155 km north of the town of La Loche. The Project is situated on Treaty 8 territory, the Homeland of the Métis, and is within territories of the Denesųłiné, Cree, and Métis.

Matters for decision 

The Commission was required to make 3 determinations when deciding whether to issue a licence to NexGen for site preparation and construction of its Rook I Project. These included:

  • a determination based on the environmental assessment (EA) under the Canadian Environment Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) on whether the Project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects
  • whether NexGen has met the requirements for a licence to prepare site and construct its Rook I Project
  • the adequacy of the consultation as per the duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate obligations under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. 

All public submissions considered by the Commission in making this decision are available on the CNSC website.

Duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate

The Commission determined that the EA and licensing decisions triggered the duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate, with respect to the following rights holders: 

  • Clearwater River Dene Nation 
  • Métis Nation – Saskatchewan 
  • Birch Narrows Dene Nation 
  • Buffalo River Dene Nation 

As will be further described in its detailed record of decision, the Commission is satisfied that the honour of the Crown was upheld for all Indigenous Nations and communities, including those for whom the duty to consult was not triggered, and that the legal obligation to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate was satisfied relative to the Commission’s EA and licensing decisions. 

The Commission’s decision requires NexGen to implement an Indigenous engagement program. The Commission’s decision directs CNSC staff to fulfill its commitments to Indigenous Nations and communities and to continue to engage with all Indigenous Nations and communities identified in the decision.

Environmental assessment

The Commission concluded that the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects as defined in subsections 5(1) and 5(2) of CEAA 2012, considering the proposed mitigation measures and follow-up monitoring, including continued engagement with Indigenous Nations and communities and environmental monitoring to verify the predictions of the EA.

Licence to prepare site and construct

The Commission decided to issue a licence authorizing NexGen to prepare a site for and construct the Rook I Project. 

In making its decision, the Commission concluded that:

  • NexGen is qualified to carry on the activities authorized under the licence
  • NexGen has adequate measures in place to ensure that the health and safety of workers, the public and the environment will be protected in carrying on activities under the licence
  • NexGen will make adequate provision for the maintenance of national security and to implement international obligations to which Canada has agreed

The licence is valid until March 31, 2036, and includes 2 site-specific licence conditions that require NexGen to:

  • implement the Rook I Project EA conditions and regulatory commitments
  • implement and maintain an Indigenous engagement program

As part of its decision, the Commission also accepted NexGen’s proposed financial guarantee of $61.848 million in the form of a surety bond, to which the Province of Saskatchewan is the beneficiary. The financial guarantee will be implemented in 4 phases, reaching its full amount in year 4 of the licence to prepare site and construct. The licence also includes a condition that requires NexGen to submit its financial guarantee within 60 days of the Commission’s decision. 

The decision by the Commission does not authorize the operation of the facility that will be constructed. Authorization to operate the facility, should NexGen come forward with a licence application to do so, would be subject to a future Commission licensing hearing and decision.

Building trust and advancing reconciliation

As Canada’s nuclear regulator, the CNSC is committed to building trust and advancing reconciliation. 

As a lifecycle regulator, the CNSC focuses on continuous engagement and consultation with Indigenous Nations and communities before, during and after Commission proceedings for CNSC activities. This includes, for example, sharing project information, encouraging participation in public proceedings, and providing participant funding.

Going forward, the CNSC will continue its work to develop and nurture long-term relationships with the Indigenous Nations and communities that have been, and will continue to be, involved in the regulatory process for the Project. 

Additional information on the CNSC’s consultations in the context of the Project can be found in CNSC staff’s review of the proposed Project.

Issuance of a summary decision

A summary record of decision is being issued at this time, in line with the Commission’s mandate to conduct proceedings as informally and expeditiously as the circumstances and fairness permit. 

The summary reflects the substance of the Commission’s decision with respect to the application for a licence to prepare a site for and construct the Project. The detailed reasons for the Commission’s decision will be provided in a full record of decision, to be published at a later date

Timeline

Related links

Contact

Media Relations 
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission 
Tel: 613-996-6860

Email: media@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca

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2026-03-05