NexGen Energy marked another step in the development of its Rook I uranium project Thursday, holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $2.2-billion project in northern Saskatchewan.
Construction had already started after the company received final federal approval on March 5.
Travis McPherson, chief commercial officer with NexGen Energy, said the groundbreaking brought together federal and provincial representatives, Indigenous leaders, investors and others connected to the project.
“The construction timeline is four years,” McPherson said. “That means that the second half of 2030 will be production.”
McPherson said the company has the major approvals needed to construct the mine, while some ongoing provincial permitting will continue as work progresses. He said NexGen remains confident in its $2.2-billion capital estimate.
He said the project’s relatively small physical footprint helps limit some construction pressures despite NexGen expecting Rook I to become the world’s largest uranium mine by output.
McPherson said the project is expected to support about 1,300 direct jobs at the site, with additional economic activity expected around the development.
NexGen is also working to increase employment and contracting opportunities for northern residents.
McPherson said about 700 people from northern Saskatchewan have gone through training programs over the past several years, with more training underway for jobs the company expects to need.
In remarks from the groundbreaking provided to the Daily Herald by the Provincial Government, Premier Scott Moe said the project could provide long-term opportunities for communities including Buffalo River, Clearwater River and La Loche.
“This means opportunity, even the opportunity for not just jobs but careers, lifelong careers for them and their children in the future,” Moe said.
Moe also described Rook I as important to Saskatchewan’s contribution to Canadian and global energy security and linked future uranium production to nuclear power in Saskatchewan and elsewhere.
McPherson said NexGen has not yet had discussions about supplying uranium for a future Saskatchewan nuclear reactor, but the company would be interested if that opportunity develops.
“What a story that would be for us to supply the fuel for those reactors,” he said.
NexGen has agreements with four Indigenous nations affected by the project. McPherson said details of the agreements are confidential, but they include a focus on employment, training and business opportunities.
He said more than 90 per cent of NexGen’s procurement last year went to its local priority area, which includes the four Indigenous nations and La Loche.
McPherson said environmental safeguards include plans to place mine tailings underground instead of leaving them in a surface facility, an approach he said costs more but reduces the project’s surface footprint.
The company is also building a 59-room hotel in La Loche. McPherson said the hotel could support economic activity in the community beyond the mine by providing accommodations for workers and visitors.
Prince Albert has also been identified as a service, transportation and labour hub for northern resource development. Earlier this year, Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce CEO Patty Hughes told the Daily Herald that long-term uranium activity supports local workers as well as transportation, aviation, equipment servicing and other businesses tied to northern operations.
The Opposition NDP has also argued that Saskatchewan should capture more of the economic value tied to its uranium and nuclear industries. During a Grid and Growth discussion in Prince Albert last week, SaskPower critic Aleana Young said the province should invest in research, training and manufacturing so nuclear supply-chain jobs are centred in Saskatchewan communities, including Prince Albert
Looking further ahead, McPherson said Saskatchewan could capture more value from its uranium industry by developing other parts of the nuclear supply chain, including conversion, enrichment and nuclear generation.
He said education and workforce training would be necessary if Saskatchewan wants more of those jobs filled locally.
“If you want to create an industry where the labour pool comes from the local area, you’ve got to train them, make sure they’re qualified,” McPherson said.
That workforce push also has a Prince Albert connection. Earlier this year, Cameco committed part of a $5-million donation to Saskatchewan Polytechnic to support an industrial mechanics certificate program through the Prince Albert campus aimed at Indigenous women from northern Saskatchewan.
Moe said during the groundbreaking that Rook I could build on Saskatchewan’s existing uranium industry while creating long-term career opportunities in the north.
arjun.pillai@paherald.sk.ca
