Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation files application against Denison Mines

Denison Mines (DNN) acknowledged an application for judicial review filed in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan by the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation against the Government of Saskatchewan and the company. Pursuant to the application, PBCN seeks an order setting aside the Provincial Ministerial approval under The Environmental Assessment Act allowing Denison to proceed with the construction of a new uranium mine and processing plant at the Wheeler River Project and remitting the decision back to the Saskatchewan Minister of the Environment for reconsideration. The Application asserts that the Government of Saskatchewan breached its duty to consult with PBCN and is required to further consult with PBCN regarding the project. The company said, “Denison has undertaken and continues to undertake extensive and impactful Indigenous engagement and consultation efforts with respect to the Project. Denison further believes the Government of Saskatchewan undertook a thorough and meaningful consultation process in advance of the Project’s Ministerial approval. PBCN was provided with an opportunity to review the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Project starting in November 2022, and Denison has directly engaged with PBCN since March 2023, when Denison first became aware of PBCN’s interest in the Project. Denison was not made aware of PBCN’s intention to seek a judicial review and recently executed an environmental monitoring and capacity agreement with PBCN to support their independent environmental monitoring activities. Denison is committed to reconciliation and works hard to listen to the perspectives of various interested parties, including PBCN, with whom Denison intends to maintain open communication. We value Indigenous knowledge and insight, and have sought to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into our Project planning processes, to ensure that our activities are designed to minimize impacts, wherever possible. With respect to the Application, Denison denies the claims made, and intends to refute several of the factual statements and vigorously defend against the orders requested.”