NexGen receives Rook I environmental assessment OK

Executive Summary

• NexGen Energy Ltd. received final federal approval from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for its Rook I uranium project, including an environmental assessment approval and a licence to prepare site and construct.
• This federal approval, received 14 business days after the final hearing concluded on Feb. 12, 2026, marks the final regulatory hurdle required to initiate full construction, following provincial approvals secured in November 2023.
• NexGen has made its final investment decision, with official construction scheduled to commence in the summer of 2026 and take four years to complete.

Key Details

• Regulatory Status: The CNSC issued a licence to prepare site and construct for the 100%-owned Rook I project. This follows the conclusion of a two-part commission hearing process on Feb. 12, 2026.
• Provincial Approvals: Environmental assessment approval from the Province of Saskatchewan was received in November 2023, along with all other necessary provincial authorizations.
• Project Capacity: Upon full operation, Rook I is capable of producing up to 30 million pounds of uranium annually, representing over 20% of the current global uranium fuel supply and over 50% of the Western world supply.
• Construction Timeline: Construction is scheduled to commence in the summer of 2026 and will take four years from commencement.
• Investment Decision: NexGen has already made its final investment decision.
• Project Location: Saskatchewan's Athabasca basin.
• Operational Standards: The project is designed to meet elite environmental, safety, social, and economic standards, incorporating state-of-the-art extraction and safety systems.

Notable Quotes

• "Today's approval represents one of the most rigorous and comprehensive regulatory processes undertaken for a resource project globally. This milestone is the result of the NexGen team's steadfast and unrelenting focus over 12 years understanding and delivering our objectives honestly and incorporating a culture of excellence." — Leigh Curyer, Founder and CEO
• "The world is changing fast, and NexGen's Rook I is now ready to be a significant contributor to global requirements for nuclear energy and Canada's role as an energy superpower." — Leigh Curyer, Founder and CEO