NexGen’s Sustainability Commitments
Sustainability considerations are embedded in all of NexGen’s business and operational decisions, and have been since the Company’s inception. NexGen is committed to maximizing value to all stakeholders and creating as much positivity as possible to make a lasting positive impact environmentally, socially, and economically. This is achieved through responsible mine development that is underpinned by effort and dedication towards environmental protection, cultural respect, health and wellness, education, careers, and economic capacity building. NexGen received the 2019 Environmental & Social Responsibility Award given by the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, which is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community. In 2022 and 2024, the Company was nominated for the Saskatoon Award for Business Excellence in the category of community investment. NexGen received the 2024 Achievement of Business Excellence – Community Involvement Award given by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
Environmental Stewardship
NexGen is dedicated to minimizing potential effects on the environment throughout all phases of the Project, incorporating proven best practices and designs around mine planning, tailings, and mine rock management, and reducing the operational footprint. NexGen delivers innovative solutions to complement proven technologies while recognizing and valuing the importance of protecting and preserving the environment throughout the Project lifespan and beyond.
NexGen’s approach to responsible development includes:
Social Stewardship
NexGen values and respects the culture, interests, and aspirations of the communities where it operates. With a focus on Saskatchewan’s north, aspects of the Project are constantly evaluated with the goal to advance economic benefits and opportunities with local communities, drive economic capacity building, and support entrepreneurs across the Province. Since acquiring the southwest Athabasca Basin properties in 2013, NexGen has worked closely with the communities local to the Project to help develop impactful community programs that focus on youth, with an emphasis on education and culture, health and wellness, and building economic capacity.
Summer Student Program: Established in 2016, NexGen’s Summer Student Program has employed more than 115 students from local communities since. Each summer, students work alongside the NexGen team at the existing exploration site and learn vital skills from industry experts while gaining a strong understanding of the long-term career opportunities available with NexGen.
Scholarship Program: Since 2017, NexGen has awarded 30 scholarships to local priority area (LPA) students in support of their post-secondary education and career goals.
Other Education and Cultural Initiatives:
School Breakfast Program: Established in 2017, this program is delivered in partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada, and provides meals to 1,025 students daily, while employing 8 local cook to prepare the breakfasts at the Ducharme Elementary School, Dene High School, and Clearwater River Dene School.
Youth Sports Program: Since 2017, NexGen has provided support to minor volleyball, hockey, and football teams in local communities. This support helps keep local youth engaged in sports and provides them with opportunities to participate in sporting events throughout the Province and across Canada.
Mentorship through Sport: NexGen creates impactful youth programs that instill self-esteem and confidence and promote health and wellness, including partnerships with the Vancouver Canucks, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Saskatchewan Rush, whereby the Company delivers unique and innovative multi-day mentorship opportunities that support young community leaders in their personal and professional growth by connecting with and learning from players, coaches, and staff.
Recreational Program: Since 2018, NexGen has provided funding for recreational programming through the La Loche Sport, Recreation & Culture Board. This program provides structured after-school and summer-holiday recreational events and opportunities for youth and other community members. The programming consists of activities such as beadwork, holiday decorating, traditional music lessons, and free public skating.
Mentorships, on-the-job training, and summer student and post-secondary student work is prioritized for residents of Saskatchewan’s North. NexGen is equipping local community members with essential technical and workplace skills for careers in uranium mining, including during the construction, operational, and closure phases of the Rook I Project. Since 2023, more than 500 local community members have taken part in NexGen-initiated and funded programs.
In 2023, NexGen established a regional training working group (composed of NexGen, local priority area community representatives, and training institutions) to develop short- and long-term plans to prepare for NexGen’s Rook I Project employment needs, with a focus on maximizing opportunities for local Indigenous and community residents.
If the Project is approved, total Canada-wide direct, indirect, and induced employment is estimated to be approximately 2,200 full-time equivalent positions annually over the four years of Construction.
Similarly, total Canada-wide direct, indirect, and induced employment is estimated to be approximately 1,200 full-time equivalent positions during a typical year in Operations.
The Project is expected to contribute over C$5 billion total payable to the provincial and federal governments over the 24-year mine life.
In addition to payments to the provincial and federal governments, Benefit Agreements signed with primary Indigenous Groups include payments based on revenue generated throughout the Project lifespan.
Integrated Management System
NexGen is responsible for and committed to providing for the health and safety of workers and the public, and the protection of the environment. To fulfill these commitments, NexGen will implement an Integrated Management System (IMS) for the Project that will provide a common, transparent, risk-informed process framework for both Project activities and achieving excellence in employee safety, radiation safety, and environmental protection by:
The IMS would apply to all on-site Project-related licensed activities during Construction, Operations, and Closure and to all Project workers (including contractors) and visitors.
NexGen’s IMS Policy documents NexGen’s commitment to the management system and articulates the principles and expectations for protecting the health, safety, and well being of workers; preserving the environment; engaging with Indigenous communities and members of the public; complying with legal and other requirements; and continually improving management system processes and performance.