Wheeler River Project
Denison Mines Corp. (Denison) is proposing to develop an in situ recovery uranium mining and processing operation located in the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, approximately 600 km north of the city of Saskatoon, 4 km west of Highway 914 and midway between Cameco Corporation's Key Lake Mill and McArthur River Mine. The proposed Wheeler River mine would produce up to 5400 tonnes of U 3 O 8 annually for twenty years.
Under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, Denison's proposal requires approval by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). An environmental assessment (EA) conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 is required, and an EA decision affirming that the proposed activities will not cause significant adverse environmental effects, before the CNSC can make a licensing decision on this proposal.
This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Saskatchewan.
Disclaimer
This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.
Latest update
The next phase of technical review by the Federal Indigenous Review Team will run from August 30, 2023 to November 27, 2023. Subject Matter experts will review the responses to IRs provided to Denison in March 2023, which includes the following documents:
- Wheeler River Project: Denison's Responses to Information Requests from the Federal and Indigenous Review Team (August 18, 2023)
- Update to Indigenous Engagement Activities for the Wheeler River Project - draft EIS
- Wheeler River Project Commitments Table - draft EIS
August 11, 2023 - On July 14, 2023, Denison Mines Corp. (Denison) submitted responses to Federal Indigenous Review Team information requests for the proposed Wheeler River Project to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). CNSC staff conducted a completeness check and determined that insufficient information was provided in order to proceed with a technical review. Denison is expected to provide additional information and resubmit responses to IRs and supporting documents at a later date. More information can be found in the August 29, 2023 letter to Denison, and completeness check table.
June 27, 2023 - Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) staff have now reviewed all comments received, and these have been detailed in public comment tables. These can be found on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry at the following links:
- For Denison's response: Consolidated comments from Indigenous Nations and Communities and the Public on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS), for the proposed Wheeler River Project
- For response by regulators: Consolidated comments from Indigenous Nations and Communities and the Public on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS), for the proposed Wheeler River Project
It is expected that Denison, CNSC staff and any other parties provide responses to these comments by the time a final EIS is submitted. These will be posted to the registry at a later date, along with the final EIS.
March 21, 2023 - The Federal Indigenous Review Team (FIRT) has completed a technical review of Denison Mines Corp.'s draft environmental impact statement (EIS) submission and has found that the information provided does not fully address the regulatory requirements for the environmental assessment (EA). The technical review resulted in 238 information requests (IRs), found in Annex 1, as well as 49 Advice to Proponent comments, found in Annex 2.
The following documents have been posted:
- Letter from CNSC staff to Denison with outcome of draft EIS review
- Annex 1 - FIRT - Information Requirements for the Wheeler River Environmental Impact Statement
- Annex 2 - FIRT - Advice to the Proponent for the Wheeler River Environmental Impact Statement
CNSC staff expects Denison to submit complete responses to all IRs and Advice to Proponent comments, along with a revised EIS and supporting documentation. Denison's responses may be reviewed several times to ensure the responses meet requirements. Once the draft EIS meets regulatory requirements, CNSC staff will proceed with developing an EA report.
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Participate
Key documents
Contacts
Canadian Nuclear Safety CommissionJes Way, Environmental Review Officer
280 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5S9
Telephone: 343-540-6213 or 1-800-668-5284
Email: wheelerriver@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca
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Location
- Russell Lake (Saskatchewan)
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Nature of Activity
- Nuclear Energy
- Mines and Minerals
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Assessment Status
In progress -
Start Date
2019-05-31 -
Proponent
Denison Mines Corp. -
Authorities
- Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
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Assessment Type
Environmental assessment under CEAA 2012 -
Reference Number
80178
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