Denison Mines Corp. (TSE: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) and the Ya’thi Néné Land and Resource Office have signed a major regional benefits agreement with seven Athabasca communities in northern Saskatchewan.
Announced on Monday, the Nuhenéné Benefit Agreement gives the communities’ consent for Denison to advance several uranium projects while expanding Indigenous oversight, training and economic opportunities.
The agreement covers Denison’s Wheeler River and Waterbury Lake projects, as well as the company’s minority stakes in the Midwest Project and the operating McClean Lake Project. All are located on the Nuhenéné Traditional Land of the Athabasca Denesułiné. The document sets out shared commitments to environmental protection, economic participation and long-term cooperation.
Denison president and CEO David Cates said the deal marks a major step in the company’s push to secure federal approvals for its planned Phoenix in-situ recovery mine. He also noted that negotiations began after a 2022 exploration agreement and said both sides worked steadily to build trust. Community leaders echoed that view and said the agreement grew from sustained engagement and clear expectations.
Leaders from Hatchet Lake, Black Lake and Fond du Lac said the region expects responsible development and concrete gains for residents. They described the new agreement as a balanced approach that supports economic growth while protecting the land, the water and the wildlife. Furthermore, some said Denison’s steady engagement improved confidence in the process and helped both sides reach terms that reflect community priorities.
Local representatives from Wollaston Lake, Stony Rapids, Uranium City and Camsell Portage pointed to the chance for meaningful work, training and business growth. They said the agreement gives residents a stronger role in monitoring environmental conditions.
Read more: NevGold surges after closing C$10M financing deal
Read more: NevGold edges closer to gold-antimony resource with latest Limousine Butte results
Denison staff began intensified consultations after signing deal
The Nuhenéné Benefit Agreement grants formal consent for Denison to move forward on its projects. In addition, it embeds a process to support Woodland Caribou protection and surface water monitoring. It also lays out shared expectations for community investment, employment paths and financial compensation.
The document describes a shared vision for future development that values cooperation and transparency. Furthermore, it commits both sides to maintaining an open relationship that supports safe and sustainable operations.
Denison staff began intensified consultations after signing the 2022 exploration deal. They visited remote communities and met residents at local halls. The company also shifted parts of its monitoring program to include more community involvement. These steps, executives said, helped create a stronger foundation for the talks that followed.
Community negotiators said they wanted clear environmental safeguards. They pushed for direct roles in monitoring programs, regular reporting and enforceable commitments. They also asked for training streams to help residents qualify for jobs created by the projects. The final agreement includes these measures, according to both parties.
Some leaders said the territorial approach strengthened their position. They noted that presenting a unified front allowed the region to negotiate for stronger oversight and more substantial benefits. Conversely, they said the joint strategy ensured that smaller communities did not get left behind.
The Wheeler River Project remains the most advanced of Denison’s assets in the region. The company is awaiting final federal approval for its environmental assessment and a construction licence. Meanwhile, the Waterbury Lake Project continues its technical work. The Midwest Project, which Denison partially owns, remains in earlier stages of review. McClean Lake, operated by Orano Canada, continues processing ore from other mines.
Read more: NevGold targets U.S. critical mineral supply chain with new antimony-gold find
Read more: NevGold Expands Gold-Antimony Potential at Limousine Butte in Nevada
Training programs will launch as projects progress
The Nuhenéné Benefit Agreement gives communities a role in the oversight of these operations. It also ensures steady communication between Denison and local leaders. Negotiators said these obligations help build accountability and support informed decisions. Furthermore, the communities said environmental monitoring programs will guide how projects adapt to changing conditions.
The agreement includes commitments for business procurement tied to northern suppliers. In addition, it creates pathways for Indigenous-owned firms to bid on contracts. Denison said it expects strong interest in services such as drilling, camp support and environmental work.
Training programs will launch as projects progress. Some will focus on trades needed during construction. Others will prepare workers for in-situ recovery operations planned at Phoenix. Community leaders said these programs will help residents secure stable jobs without leaving the region.
Financial provisions in the agreement will support local programs and community projects. Some leaders said these funds will help strengthen services for youth, support language programs and expand cultural activities. Others said the resources could fund safety, housing or education initiatives.
Negotiators noted that trust played an essential role. They said Denison showed readiness to adjust plans and to support additional protections. The company said it valued the conversations and will continue to incorporate community input into its planning. Consequently, leaders said the new agreement sets a tone for future cooperation.
The deal is expected to guide decades of development across the region. It aligns land stewardship, economic participation and cultural protection within a single framework. Community leaders said the agreement reflects their vision for how northern projects should operate. Denison said it aims to meet those expectations while advancing key uranium assets.
