A high school senior named Landon Moise is among the students at Clearwater River Dene School who could potentially work at a forthcoming mine located to the north of their community in a secluded area of Saskatchewan. The school, situated over 500 kilometers north of Saskatoon and a two-hour drive from the new uranium mine being constructed by NexGen Energy, is adjusting its educational approach to equip students for the significant economic and environmental transformations on the horizon.
Moise shared that the school is teaching him how to safeguard the environment and collaborate with large corporations operating nearby. NexGen’s Rook 1 mine is being established on the ancestral lands of the Dene, Cree, and Métis peoples. Anticipated to create close to 500 permanent positions, the $2.2 billion initiative is set to position Canada as the leading global uranium exporter.
Recognizing the unprecedented economic potential, educators at the school are emphasizing the importance of readiness among the youth. They are incorporating lessons on financial literacy and practical skills that have practical applications beyond the classroom. Brien Morgan, the school’s practical and applied arts instructor, mentioned that students are making industry connections and realizing the earning potential of their acquired skill set.
Morgan engaged students in crafting core sampling boxes essential for soil retention during mining operations and collaborated with a local enterprise to sell the students’ products to mines in the north. Such projects not only empower students but also prepare them for post-graduation employment opportunities. Last year, students visited the mine site to plant over 4,000 seedlings of various plants, providing them with hands-on environmental learning experiences.
Teacher Paul Haynes spearheaded the initiative and initiated the land-based learning program to facilitate students’ connection with the land in a more traditional educational setting. While pleased with students securing contracts with NexGen post-graduation, Haynes expressed concerns about the potential impacts of the development on the environment and traditional food sources.
NexGen has assured CBC that stringent environmental measures are in place daily concerning wildlife, air quality, and water resources. The company has established benefit agreements with nearby First Nations and Métis communities, enabling them to engage environmental consultants and review all operational environmental data. NexGen CEO Leigh Curyer emphasized the company’s collaboration with government bodies to ensure environmentally conscious operations.
In a bid to enhance environmental stewardship, NexGen has designed underground chambers to store tailings, a departure from the standard surface tailings used in mining operations in Canada. Curyer emphasized that this innovative approach, though costlier, is environmentally superior and has received recognition from regulatory bodies. The company aims to safeguard the traditional land throughout the mine’s projected 24-year lifespan.