Latest news with #TravisKeisig
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Denison Receives Provincial Environmental Assessment Approval for the Wheeler River Project
TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2025 /CNW/ - Denison Mines Corp. (" Denison" or the " Company") (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) is pleased to announce that it has received Ministerial approval under The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan) to proceed with the development of the In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") uranium mine planned for the Wheeler River Project (the "Project"). PDF Version View PDF As part of Denison's strategy to effectively harmonize the Federal and Provincial Environmental Assessment (the "EA") for the Project, the Provincial EA was submitted for final approval in late 2024 after Denison successfully completed multiple key milestones in the Federal regulatory process, including completion of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's ("CNSC") rigorous technical review phase, and acceptance by the CNSC of the Company's final Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the Project. As a result of this approach, the Federal and Provincial EAs for the Project are substantially the same and no subsequent revisions for conformance are expected to be required. " Saskatchewan is the world's second-largest uranium producer, and remains a destination of choice for mining investment due to our abundant natural resources and strong regulatory environment," Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said. " The province continues to be a national leader in safe and sustainable mining practices, well positioning Canada as an emerging energy superpower. As demand for these resources increase, we are pleased to see this project move ahead, further enhancing Saskatchewan's world class energy sector, while bringing new jobs and opportunities to northern communities." "I would like to congratulate Denison Mines on this significant project milestone with their Wheeler River Project", commented the Honourable Travis Keisig, Saskatchewan Minister of Environment. "We look forward to working with Denison as this project progresses and are excited that they have chosen Saskatchewan as a place to do business." David Cates, President and CEO of Denison, commented, "We thank the Province of Saskatchewan for entrusting Denison to proceed with the development of the Project, which is expected to set a superior standard of sustainability as the first ISR uranium mine in Canada. We applaud the work of the Provincial Government to uphold the province's rigorous environmental regulations, while simultaneously recognizing the important role that the natural resources sector can play in driving societal wellbeing. The Province of Saskatchewan is truly a leading jurisdiction for sustainable natural resource investments. I'd also like to applaud our own environmental, regulatory, sustainability and technical teams for working closely with the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment, Indigenous nations, local communities, and other interested parties during the EA process. Importantly, completion of the provincial EA represents one of the final regulatory milestones necessary for Denison to commence construction of the Phoenix ISR mine, which is on track to become Canada's next new large-scale uranium mine." With the Provincial EA approved, the remaining regulatory requirements to commence construction of the ISR mine planned for the Phoenix deposit include receipt of the Provincial Pollutant Control Facility Permit, as well as the Federal approval of the EA and receipt of the Federal License to Prepare the Site & Construct. Both outstanding Federal approvals are the subject of the CNSC public hearings for the Project scheduled in October and December 2025. Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure-rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan. The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison (90% and operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (" JCU", 10%). In August 2023, Denison filed a technical report summarizing the results of (i) the feasibility study completed for ISR mining of the high-grade Phoenix uranium deposit and (ii) a cost update to the 2018 Pre-Feasibility Study for conventional underground mining of the basement-hosted Gryphon uranium deposit. More information on the studies is available in the technical report titled " NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Wheeler River Project Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated August 8, 2023, with an effective date of June 23, 2023, a copy of which is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR+ at and on EDGAR at Based on the respective studies, both deposits have the potential to be competitive with the lowest - cost uranium mining operations in the world. Permitting efforts for the planned Phoenix ISR operation commenced in 2019 and are nearing completion with approval of the project ' s EA received from the Province of Saskatchewan and CNSC hearing dates set in the fall of 2025 for Federal approval of the EA and project construction licens e. About Denison Denison is a uranium mining, exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. In addition to Denison's effective 95% interest in its flagship Wheeler River Project, Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake Joint Venture ("MLJV"), which includes unmined uranium deposits (with mining at the McClean North deposit via the MLJV's SABRE mining method having commenced in 2025) and the McClean Lake uranium mill (currently utilizing a portion of its licensed capacity to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement), plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest Joint Venture's Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits, and a 70.55% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Túé ("THT") and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake Property. The Midwest Main, Midwest A, THT and Huskie deposits are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill. Taken together, Denison has direct ownership interests in properties covering ~384,000 hectares in the Athabasca Basin region. Additionally, through its 50% ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited ("JCU"), Denison holds additional interests in various uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium project (JCU, 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU, 33.8118%), and Christie Lake (JCU, 34.4508%). In 2024, Denison celebrated its 70th year in uranium mining, exploration, and development, which began in 1954 with Denison's first acquisition of mining claims in the Elliot Lake region of northern Ontario. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this press release constitutes 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'potential', 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will ' ' be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: expectations with respect to the EA process, including the filing of the final EIS and the results and objectives thereof; expectations regarding regulatory reviews and processes, including hearings with the CNSC Commission; and expectations regarding its joint venture ownership interests, including plans for mining and the use of SABRE by the MLVJ, and the continuity of its agreements with its partners and third parties. Forward - looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 2 8, 202 5 under the heading 'Risk Factors' or in subsequent quarterly financial reports. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this press release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this press release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Sask. aiming to stop aquatic invasive species with inspection stations
This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shows a group of zebra mussels. (AP / U.S. Department of Agriculture) Saskatchewan is aiming to keep aquatic invasive species (AIS) out of the province and will have inspection stations set up until October along highways and near bodies of water. 'If you are transporting a watercraft and see an active inspection station, you must stop – it is the law,' Environment Minister Travis Keisig said in a news release. AIS refers to plants, fish, invertebrates and diseases that are not natural in a particular area and negatively impact the environment, economy and society, the province says. In Saskatchewan, well known AIS include zebra and quagga mussels, which the province says have not been detected in recent years. The province says people can avoid spreading AIS by knowing what to look for, with a list available on its website. Residents are also encouraged to follow Saskatchewan's clean, drain and dry guidelines for watercraft, trailers and equipment. Following those guidelines is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of AIS in Saskatchewan, the province said. 'Every year, our watercraft inspection staff intercept various types of watercraft, from kayaks to sailboats, carrying invasive mussels. We also decontaminate many watercraft coming into the province from high-risk areas that are not properly cleaned, drained or dried,' Keisig said in the release. More information can be read here.
CBC
17-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Hunters, advocacy groups raise concerns about hunting pregnant elk as Sask. extends season
Saskatchewan hunters and advocacy groups are speaking out after the Saskatchewan government extended the elk hunting season into March for three areas of the province. In a rare extension of the traditional hunting season, the provincial government is offering licences for elk hunting from March 10 to 31. The licences are limited to hunting within WMZ 39, west of Yorkton, the RM of Stanley, northeast of Fort Qu'Appelle, and the RM of Leask, north of Saskatoon. The government says the extended hunting is permitted due to wildlife damage on farms, and to collect samples of bovine tuberculosis in WMZ 39 and RM of Stanley. The announcement was met by opposition from animal rights and Indigenous groups, who say the hunt is unethical and breaks Indigenous cultural norms. Offering licences in March will mean the vast majority of the female elk hunted will be several months pregnant. On March 12, legal advocacy group Animal Justice sent a letter to Saskatchewan's Minister of the Environment Travis Keisig, arguing the move was contrary to Saskatchewan's Animal Protection Act. Animal Justice claimed that hunting pregnant elk during this time of year contravenes the Act's prohibition on causing undue distress for animals whilst hunting. The Act does stipulate exceptions to that rule, as long as they fall within "reasonable and generally accepted practices" of hunting. According to Kaitlyn Mitchell, the group's Director of Legal Advocacy, that exception has not been met. "It really runs in the face of the rule of law to expand the goalposts," she said. "Just because some folks want to shoot elk in the spring, suddenly we're going to consider that to also be reasonable, generally accepted. It's just not." "We are talking about sentient, social, intelligent animals who deserve our compassion and respect." Goes against cultural values: FSIN The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, has also called on the government to halt the licensing process. It says the decision goes against its cultural values on the hunting of pregnant elk, and was done without its consultation. "It's hard to put into words, but you just don't do that. You don't go and kill babies that are in the tummies of sacred animals such as the elk," said FSIN chief Bobby Cameron. "There are other methods, other means, other ways of addressing the older population." "We'll say this to all the land owners, farm farmers out there. If you're running into this problem, phone us." For some hunters, the ethics of hunting pregnant elk come down to a definition of what constitutes a pregnancy. In Saskatchewan the typical elk hunting season runs between September and late December, usually for short windows of a few weeks. Preventing hunting outside of these areas is meant to allow elk populations to bear calves in the summer. Female elk — known as cows — mate in the fall and are pregnant for about 250 days, meaning many are already pregnant during the official hunting season. Rebecca Russell, an elk hunter from Last Mountain Lake north west of Regina, says that's a key distinction. "You're still shooting a cow and it could possibly still be pregnant. But my view of it is if you're shooting it later in the year, say September, they're pregnant, but it's not a breathing calf," she said. "Most likely [in March] they are breathing inside the cow. So they're alive, but they're not born yet." "I kind of understand why they're doing it. I just don't agree when they're doing it," she said, noting that she's spoken to several hunters who have bought the hunting tags with the intention of not using them, "saving two cows and two elk." Russell suggests an alternative of selling more hunting tags and expanding the hunting windows, allowing for greater population control where elk populations cause damage to farms. Bovine tuberculosis worries In a statement, the government of Saskatchewan confirmed it had received Animal Justice's letter and acknowledged the concerns from the FSIN. "The decision to allow additional hunting opportunities is not made lightly and is influenced by a variety of factors," it said, referencing above-average reported damage claims in the three hunting areas and emphasizing the worry about the spread of bovine tuberculosis. According to the government, a cow from a herd in southeastern Saskatchewan recently tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, the second case found in the province since 2023. As a condition of the March hunting licence, the statement read, any elk taken from RM of Stanley or WMZ 39 must have its head submitted for testing for bovine tuberculosis. "Wildlife surveillance is a component of every bovine tuberculosis investigation, as it is important to ensure that the disease has not spilled over into surrounding populations of susceptible wildlife," it said. For Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the threat of bovine tuberculosis is a strong reason to undertake the extended hunt. The disease, which can spread between wild elk and cattle herds via hay bales, can be hugely destructive for farms, Brook said. And if the disease is detected in even a single animal, he said, then the entire herd would have to be removed and destroyed. "I think that testing is very, very critical," he said. "The notion of just not collecting any more samples in March and waiting 'til fall? Bovine TB can spread very, very rapidly. And once it becomes established in the wildlife population, it's very difficult, if not impossible to eradicate." "So timing is of the essence, and I support any and all actions that are aggressive and proactive to get in front of this," he said. "Concerns about ethics are certainly not lost on me, or anybody else that I've talked to about this. And so these are very legitimate and appropriate things to think and talk about. But again, there is no simple answer."
