Denison Reports Financial and Operational Results for Q2 2025, Highlighted by Return to Uranium Production at McClean Lake and Provincial Approval of Wheeler River Environmental Assessment
We marked our return to uranium production and inaugurated a new source of Canadian uranium, with the newly commissioned McClean North SABRE mine commencing mining operations in June and the
At our flagship Wheeler River project, the Province of
We also reported positive exploration results at
Lastly, in recent days we reported the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ('PEA') for the use of ISR mining at the Midwest Joint Venture's Midwest Main deposit. The PEA incorporates results from multiple successful field test programs and outlines the potential for the project to have an all-in cost of production amongst the lowest cost uranium mines in the world, generating an impressive internal rate of return over 80% and an NPV attributable to Denison's ownership interest of over
Highlights
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Announced First Production at McClean Lake North using SABRE Mining
InJuly 2025 , the McClean Lake Joint Venture ('MLJV') announced the successful start of uranium mining operations at the McClean North deposit using the joint venture's patented Surface Access Borehole Resource Extraction ('SABRE') mining method. Mining operations commenced in June, with approximately 250 tonnes of high-grade ore estimated to have been recovered from the first mining cavity. Processing of recovered ore commenced at theMcClean Lake mill in the third quarter. -
Obtained Provincial Approval of Environmental Assessment for
Wheeler River
InJuly 2025 , Denison received Ministerial approval under The Environmental Assessment Act ofSaskatchewan to proceed with the development of theWheeler River Uranium Project , as outlined in the final provincial Environmental Assessment submitted for final approval in late 2024. The provincial EA is substantially similar to the Federal EA, which was accepted as final by theCanadian Nuclear Safety Commission inDecember 2024 . Approval of the provincial EA represents one of the final regulatory milestones necessary for Denison to commence construction of the planned Phoenix In-Situ Recovery ('ISR') mine.
Remaining regulatory requirements to commence construction include receipt of the Provincial Pollutant Control Facility Permit, as well as the Federal approval of the EA and receipt of the Federal License to Prepare the Site & Construct. Both outstanding Federal approvals are the subject of the CNSC public hearings scheduled for the Project in October andDecember 2025 . -
Achieved Approximately 80% Completion of Total Engineering for
Phoenix
Detailed design engineering for the proposed ISR mine project at thePhoenix deposit ('Phoenix ') commenced in early 2024 and continues to be on track for substantial completion prior to the commencement of construction, which is currently expected to occur following a final investment decision ('FID') during the first half of 2026.
Total engineering is significantly advanced with approximately 80% estimated to be completed byJune 30, 2025 , including several scopes planned for the first year of construction approaching 100% total engineering. -
Discovery of Additional High-Grade Mineralization at Wheeler River Gryphon Deposit
Additional high-grade uranium mineralization, located approximately 40 metres outside of the previously estimated mineralized domain associated with the D1 lens, was discovered as part of a highly successful delineation drill program carried out at the Gryphon uranium deposit ('Gryphon') during the first half of 2025. Drill hole WR-837AD2 intersected 2.3 metres at 1.69% eU3O8 including 0.5 metres at 5.48% eU3O8 in the down plunge direction from the previously defined D1 lens. This area remains open for further expansion down-plunge and along strike to the northeast.
Gryphon is situated approximately 3 km northwest ofPhoenix on Denison's 95% owned Wheeler River property in northernSaskatchewan . In addition to the discovery of additional mineralization, the results from the delineation drilling program are expected to add confidence to the previously estimated mineral resources for Gryphon, having confirmed the geological interpretation of the deposit and intersecting uranium grades in line with expectations. -
Midwest Preliminary Economic Assessment Showcases Robust Results from ISR Mining
The PEA outlines total ISR mine production from the Midwest Main deposit (100% basis) of 37.4 million pounds U3O8 over an approximately 6-year mine life with processing at the nearbyMcClean Lake mill, resulting in annual average production of nearly 6.1 million pounds U3O8, an after-tax base-case NPV of$965 million , and after-tax base-case IRR of 82.7%. Initial capital costs are estimated at$254 million , with average life of mine cash operating costs estimated to beUSD$11.69 /lb. U3O8 and all-in costs (including initial capital, sustaining capital, operating and decommissioning costs) estimated to beUSD$25.78 /lb. U3O8. See the press release datedAugust 6, 2025 for further details.
Midwest is a joint venture owned by Denison (25.17%) andOrano Canada Inc. ('Orano Canada ') (74.83%), and is located approximately 25 kilometers, by existing roads, from the Denison (22.5%) andOrano Canada (77.5%) ownedMcClean Lake uranium mill.
The PEA is preliminary in nature, includes mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would allow them to be categorized as mineral reserves, mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. -
Discovery of Additional High-Grade Mineralization at McClean South
Several significant new intercepts of shallow high-grade uranium mineralization were discovered at the McClean South zone ('McClean South'), on the Company's 22.5%-ownedMcClean Lake project ('McClean Lake') in northern Saskatchewan, during a 6,400-metre exploration drilling program completed during the first half of 2025.Orano Canada (MLJV operator), reported uranium mineralization measuring greater than 0.05% eU (0.06% eU3O8) was intersected in 14 of 24 drill holes completed during the program. The results are interpreted to have successfully confirmed the continuity of mineralization and expanded the footprint of the 8W and 8C pods. McClean South is located approximately 600 metres south of the McClean North deposit.
About Denison
Denison is a leading uranium mining, development, and exploration company with interests focused in the
Permitting efforts for the planned Phoenix ISR operation commenced in 2019 and are nearing completion with approval of the project's EA received from the Province of
Denison's interests in
Additionally, through its 50% ownership of
In 2024, Denison celebrated its 70th year in uranium mining, exploration, and development, which began in 1954 with Denison's first acquisition of mining claims in the
Technical Disclosure and Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). Such non-GAAP performance measures, including operating costs and sustaining costs, are included because it understands that investors use this information to determine the Company's ability to generate earnings and cash flows. The Company believes that conventional measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS do not fully illustrate the ability of mines to generate cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of operating costs, operating profit or cash flows presented under IFRS.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: projections with respect to exploration, development and expansion plans and objectives, including the scope, objectives and interpretations of the
Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the results and underlying assumptions and interpretations of its technical studies may not be maintained after further testing or be representative of actual conditions within the applicable deposits. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue testing, evaluation, engineering, and development work if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary approvals or resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, etc.). Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the Annual Information Form dated
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this press release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this press release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves:
This news release may use the terms 'measured', 'indicated' and 'inferred' mineral resources.
Effective
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