Working with and listening to communities and partners.
Engaging with communities and hearing what they have to say
Our team makes time and space to listen and learn about what really matters so that we can move forward in a respectful and positive way – together in alignment with our partners, community members and Indigenous nations.
Denison is proud to be a leader among exploration and development mining companies when it comes to Reconciliation. In 2021, Denison’s Board formally approved the Company’s Indigenous Peoples Policy; a first for companies operating in the region. This policy sets out our commitment to taking action in support of Reconciliation, with an emphasis on five key areas: Engagement, Empowerment, Environment, Employment, and Education.
Every community has unique interests and needs when it comes to mining development activities in the region. We work hard to listen to concerns and learn from shared knowledge and insights. Our team members are encouraged to visit communities frequently and to listen to and understand perspectives from all interested parties.
Denison listened to us.
And they acted on what we said.
Our most valuable resource: Our People.
Denison is invested in hiring local talent and supporting local Indigenous-owned, and Northern Saskatchewan based businesses whenever possible. The project will create up to 300 jobs during 2 years of construction and approximately 150 jobs during 10 years of operation in a safe, above-ground work environment. Many of the required roles will be similar to roles at existing uranium operations, and ISR-specific training will be provided when necessary.
We’re ready to talk: Pull up a chair
Being available for one-on-one conversations with community leaders and residents is important to us. We sit down and speak with interested and invested parties, like Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, to explain our activities, our strategy and any potential positive or negative impacts. Through ongoing outreach sessions, we have learned a lot about the environmental and community priorities that will make the project safe and successful for all.
Watch us in action
We don’t just talk about change—we deliver it. Whether it’s sustainability, engineering, community partnership, or profitability, we want to make informed decisions about how we work. Watch our videos below to see how.
Denison gave us more than promises.
They gave us a voice.
Understanding the potential effects the Wheeler River Project will have on the environment is a priority. The ISR mining method leaves no conventional tailings, waste rock piles, or underground workings. This will make it simpler to reclaim the site area when the operation is finished. With a smaller footprint and a shorter lifespan compared to other operations in the region, the Wheeler River Project minimizes ecological disruption. Reclamation activities are designed to be completed in just a few years.
In May 2019 the Wheeler River Project Description was made available to the public as the first step in the Environmental Assessment and regulatory approvals process. Over a number of years, Denison finalized the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) based on feedback from communities and the various regulators – which included a significant public comment process to provide transparency about the activities Denison is proposing and how Denison plans to undertake the work. The EIS documents the outcomes of the Environmental Assessment, of which has shown that the Wheeler River Project can be constructed, operated and decommissioned with no significant adverse effects to the environment or people.
In February 2025, we received notice of hearing dates from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to make the final approval decision for the Wheeler River Project. The Hearing is scheduled to be held in two parts (October 8, 2025, and December 8 to 12, 2025) and represents the final step in the federal approval process for the Project’s Environmental Assessment.
Meet the teams that’s changing how mining gets done
Janna Switzer
Vice-President, Environment, Sustainability, & RegulatoryI have been working on the Wheeler River Project since early 2020 and currently hold the position of Vice-President, Environment, Sustainability, & Regulatory. My 20-year career in the resource and mining industry has provided me with the opportunity to focus and grow my understanding of how resource projects interact with...
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Chad Sorba
Vice-President, Technical Services & Project EvaluationI have been employed with Denison Mines since 2006 and held roles in various capacities over that time. I hold a BSc. in Geology and have spent many years working in northern Saskatchewan in remote locations exploring and developing future uranium deposits. Currently, I serve as Denison’s Vice-President, Technical Services...
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Kevin Himbeault
Vice-President, OperationsI joined Denison Mines in 2022 to provide operational experience, leadership, and support to the team as we advance the Wheeler River Project through the various stages of engineering and design towards construction and future operation. I bring significant operational and regulatory experience, with over 25 years of diverse involvement...
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Carolanne Inglis-McQuay
Director, SustainabilityI am responsible for ensuring that Indigenous, community and social aspects are considered as part of the activities we are performing within Saskatchewan, with a particular focus on the Wheeler River Project. This covers areas such as negotiations with Interested Parties for various types of Agreements (Project, exploration, or other),...
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Xavier Lu Dac
Director, Project ExecutionI joined the Denison Wheeler River Project in 2020 as the Senior Project Engineer, and am now the Director, Project Execution. I work towards obtaining the required technical information to advance the level of project definition needed to execute on the project and support the Environmental Assessment and regulatory approvals...
READ MORE >Connect with us.
We’re here to continue the conversation—about the Wheeler River Project, our partnerships, and our future together. Reach out anytime.
