Denison Mines Corp. (DNN) has secured a major step forward in its effort to develop Canada’s first in-situ recovery uranium mine. The company announced it has received provincial environmental assessment approval from the Government of Saskatchewan for the planned development of the Phoenix deposit at its flagship Wheeler River Project.
The approval comes after Denison completed a comprehensive environmental impact statement in accordance with both provincial and federal regulatory frameworks. This milestone confirms that Denison now holds Ministerial approval under The Environmental Assessment Act of Saskatchewan. With the provincial review process concluded, the Wheeler River Project advances into its final regulatory phase, which includes a federal environmental assessment decision and the issuance of a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to prepare and construct the Phoenix ISR operation.
The Wheeler River Project is the largest undeveloped uranium asset in Saskatchewan’s prolific eastern Athabasca Basin. Denison holds a 90% interest and serves as operator, with JCU Exploration Company holding the remaining 10%. The Phoenix deposit, identified as one of the lowest-cost undeveloped uranium resources in the world, is poised to become the first ISR uranium mine in Canada.
By using ISR, Denison intends to extract uranium from ore bodies without disturbing the surface through traditional open-pit or underground techniques. The approach is designed to minimize surface disruption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enable precise environmental management.
The federal review process is already underway, and the CNSC has scheduled public hearings for October and December 2025. A positive outcome would clear the way for full-scale construction of the Phoenix facility. According to Denison, the project is expected to support both the company’s strategic growth and global energy transition efforts, particularly as demand for nuclear fuel continues to rise amid increasing focus on clean energy sources.
Wheeler River is part of Denison’s broader portfolio of uranium assets in northern Saskatchewan, which includes ownership interests in several joint ventures and development-stage projects.
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