It will take four years for mine construction before it can ramp up to producing 30 million pounds of uranium annually.
By Nykole King
Saskatoon StarPhoenix, 13 August 2026
Vancouver-headquartered NexGen Energy Ltd. has broken ground on a $2.2 billion uranium mine project in northern Saskatchewan.
The Rook I project has the potential to move the company from uranium exploration and development to an important supplier of the radioactive metal.
Construction will take four years before the mine ramps up to producing 30 million pounds of uranium annually from the site that sits on the southern end of the Athabasca Basin.
Leigh Curyer, the company's founder and chief executive, says the mine will be key in supplying the world with fuel for its nuclear ambitions.
“Artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification and energy security are driving unprecedented demand for electricity. Nuclear energy has become key to meeting that demand - and with it, uranium has become one of the world's most strategic resources,” Curyer said in a prepared statement.
NexGen Energy said on Thursday that it's completed an initial 3,000-foot airstrip to the site as well as on-site accommodations for the fly-in, fly-out camp.
There is work underway to nearly double the size of the airstrip by the end of the year. It also expects to develop the mine shaft in 2027.
The Vancouver company received construction approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission on March 5.
