Saskatchewan Grants Final Approvals for Paladin’s PLS Mine and Denison’s ISR Project
Updated (2 articles)
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Provincial approval of Paladin’s Patterson Lake South project On 18 Feb 2026 Saskatchewan’s Minister of Environment Darlene Rowden formally approved Paladin Energy’s Environmental Impact Statement after technical acceptance in June 2025 and a public review from July to September 2025 [1]. The approval follows Paladin’s 2024 acquisition of the project from Fission Uranium and satisfies a key regulatory milestone before federal licences can be pursued [1]. Rowden highlighted alignment with the province’s Growth Plan and extensive Indigenous consultation [1].
Scale, economics and construction plan for the PLS underground mine The Triple R deposit hosts indicated resources of 114.9 million lb U₃O₈ at 1.94 % grade, inferred resources of 15.4 million lb at 1.10 % grade and probable reserves of 93.7 million lb at 1.41 % grade, all above a 0.25 % cut‑off [1]. A 2023 NI 43‑101 feasibility study projects a three‑year build, CAD 1.155 billion (≈ USD 840 million) capital cost, a ten‑year mine life producing 90.9 million lb U₃O₈, and operating costs of CAD 13.02 per pound [1]. Paladin plans an underground mine, on‑site mill processing ~1,000 tonnes of ore per day, underground tailings storage, and comprehensive water‑handling facilities [1].
CNSC issues construction licence for Denison’s Wheeler River ISR mine On 20 Feb 2026 the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission granted Denison Mines Corp a licence to prepare the site and construct the Phoenix in‑situ recovery (ISR) uranium mine and mill at Wheeler River, valid through Feb 2031 [2]. The licence covers only construction; a separate operating licence will be considered after a new CNSC hearing [2]. This federal approval completes the regulatory chain after Saskatchewan’s environmental assessment and other provincial permits were already secured [2].
Resource estimate and ISR technology at Wheeler River The June 2023 resource update reports 70.5 million lb U₃O₈ (27,118 tU), with 30.9 million lb measured and 39.7 million lb indicated [2]. The Phoenix project is a 90 % Denison / 10 % JCU joint venture and represents Canada’s first ISR uranium mine, a method that dissolves uranium in place and now supplies over half of global production [2]. Denison is also testing ISR at other sites, but the Wheeler River licence currently limits activities to site preparation and construction [2].
Sources
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1.
World Nuclear News: Saskatchewan Approves Paladin’s Patterson Lake South Uranium Project – Details the 18 Feb provincial approval, project scale, underground mining plan, and the regulatory step toward federal licences .
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2.
World Nuclear News: CNSC Issues Licence for Canada’s First In‑Situ Uranium Mine at Wheeler River – Describes the 20 Feb CNSC construction licence, final federal clearance, resource figures, and the novelty of ISR mining in Canada .
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Timeline
June 2019 – Denison Mines begins in‑situ recovery (ISR) permitting for the Wheeler River project, marking Canada’s first attempt to apply ISR technology to its uranium sector [2].
2023 – Fission Uranium completes a NI 43‑101 feasibility study for the Patterson Lake South (Triple R) deposit, projecting a three‑year construction period, CAD 1.155 billion capital cost, and a ten‑year mine life producing 90.9 million lb U₃O₈ [1].
April 2023 – Paladin Energy submits a construction licence application to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the Patterson Lake South underground mine and on‑site mill [1].
June 2023 – Denison updates the Wheeler River resource estimate to 70.5 million lb U₃O₈ (27,118 tU), with 30.9 million lb measured and 39.7 million lb indicated, reinforcing the project’s status as the largest undeveloped eastern Athabasca Basin deposit [2].
2024 – Paladin Energy acquires Fission Uranium, gaining control of the Patterson Lake South project and its high‑grade Triple R deposit [1].
June 2025 – Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment gives technical acceptance to Paladin’s Environmental Impact Statement for Patterson Lake South, clearing a key regulatory hurdle before public consultation [1].
July–Sept 2025 – Saskatchewan conducts a public review of the Patterson Lake South EIS, incorporating extensive Indigenous and community feedback into the final assessment [1].
18 Feb 2026 – Environment Minister Darlene Rowden formally approves Paladin’s Environmental Impact Statement for Patterson Lake South, citing alignment with the province’s Growth Plan and robust safeguards, and enabling the next steps toward provincial and federal operating permits [1].
20 Feb 2026 – The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issues a licence to Denison Mines for site preparation and construction of the Wheeler River ISR mine and mill, valid through Feb 2031 and representing the final federal approval after provincial EA clearance [2].
2026‑2029 (expected) – Paladin plans a three‑year construction phase for the underground Patterson Lake South mine and processing facilities, targeting start‑up by late 2029 and a ten‑year production run [1].
Post‑construction (future) – Denison must apply for a separate operating licence from the CNSC, which will be considered after a new hearing once construction of the Wheeler River ISR mine is complete [2].
External resources (1 links)
- https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/128143 (cited 1 times)