An exploration agreement signed between representatives of several First Nations and communities in the Athabasca Basin, and Denison Mines Corp, is being touted as a tool to “pave the way for meaningful engagement and economic participation in the mining industry”.

The Agreement acknowledges the Basin communities’ support for Denison’s uranium mining exploration projects in their Traditional Territory (Nuhenéné).  It formalizes Denison’s commitment to work collaboratively with YNLR and the Athabasca communities and to conduct its exploration activities in a sustainable manner that respects First Nations’ Inherent and Treaty Rights, advances Reconciliation and benefits the communities involved.

Those communities include Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac First Nations as well as the municipalities of Stony Rapids, Uranium City, Wollaston Lake, and Camsell Portage.

In a news release Mary Denechezhe, Board Chair, Ya’ thi Néné says, “Our communities want to participate in and benefit from projects happening on our lands, which historically has not always been the case. This Exploration Agreement will provide certainty to our Basin communities that there will be meaningful engagement on proposed projects and monitoring of exploration activities to ensure the environment and all Treaty Rights are respected.”