Vancouver-based NexGen Energy says the Rook I project description has been accepted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. That clears the way for the company to begin the environmental assessment of the project.
The environmental assessment will be co-ordinated among NexGen and the two governmental bodies.
NexGen has also filed an initial licence application with the CNSC under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act in order to obtain a construction licence (The CNSC is the federal regulator of all uranium mine and mill projects in Canada).
Rook I includes a proposed underground mine and milling operation on the southwestern rim of the Athabasca Basin about 80 km south of the former Cluff Lake uranium mine. The first deposit to be developed will be the Arrow deposit. NexGen plans to create an underground tailings management facility (UGTMF) which will significantly reduce the surface footprint of the project.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)