Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation backs Denison Mines' Wheeler River project
The Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation has dropped its legal challenge against the Phoenix uranium mine in Saskatchewan, opting instead to support the development of the Wheeler River project. The move follows intensive negotiations between the First Nation and Denison Mines Corp., clearing a significant regulatory hurdle for the company.
The withdrawal of the judicial review application, previously filed in the Court of King's Bench for Saskatchewan, signals a pivot in the relationship between the regional First Nation and the mining operator. The legal challenge had targeted the environmental assessment approval granted by the province for the Phoenix In-Situ Recovery operation. With the challenge resolved, the company now holds formal consent to proceed with the site's development.
Wheeler River serves as the largest undeveloped uranium project within the Athabasca Basin. The site includes the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon deposits, which are currently positioned to compete with the world's lowest-cost uranium operations. Following environmental approvals from both Saskatchewan and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, construction and site preparation at Phoenix began in March 2026, with the first production cycle anticipated in 2028.
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