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

Today, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission announced the Commission’s decision to issue a licence to NexGen Energy Ltd. to prepare a site for and construct its Rook I Project.

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. 

The proposed facility is a uranium mine and mill 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.

In making its decision, the Commission carefully considered all submissions and perspectives received during a 2-part hybrid public hearing held in Gatineau, Quebec, on November 19, 2025, and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from February 9 to 12, 2026. All public submissions are available on the CNSC website. 

The licence is valid until March 31, 2036, and authorizes site preparation and construction activities under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. The licence does not authorize the operation of the facility to be constructed. Authorization to operate the facility would be subject to a future Commission licensing hearing and decision, should NexGen come forward with a licence application to do so.  

A summary record of decision is available upon request to the Commission Registry at [email protected]. Once available in both official languages, the summary record of decision will be published on the CNSC website.

Additional information about the Rook I Project and the Commission’s decision may be found in the backgrounder.