Denison Announces Decision to Advance Wheeler River Project Following Positive PFS Results
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Denison Mines Corp.
1100 – 40 University Ave
Toronto, ON M5J 1T1
www.denisonmines.com
@DenisonMinesCo
PRESS RELEASE
DENISON ANNOUNCES DECISION TO ADVANCE WHEELER RIVER
PROJECT FOLLOWING POSITIVE PFS RESULTS
Toronto, ON – December 18, 2018 Denison Mines Corp. (“Denison” or the “Company”) (DML: TSX, DNN:
NYSE American) is pleased to report that the Company’s Board of Directors and the Wheeler River Joint
Venture (“WRJV”) have approved the advancement of the Wheeler River project, following a detailed
assessment of the strong economic results produced by the recently filed Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”)
prepared for the project in accordance with NI 43-101 (see news release dated October 30, 2018). In
support of the decision to advance the Wheeler River project, the WRJV has approved a $10.3 million
budget for 2019 (100% basis), which is highlighted by plans to initiate the Environmental Assessment
(“EA”) process as well as engineering studies and related programs required to advance the high-grade
Phoenix deposit as an in-situ recovery (“ISR”) mining operation. Denison’s share of the 2019 budget for
Wheeler River is $9.3 million, which reflects Denison’s 90% ownership interest in the project (see news
release dated October 29, 2018).
Highlights from Wheeler River 2019 Budget
• Initiation of Environmental Assessment process: The submission of a Project Description
(“PD”), to Federal and Provincial Regulatory Authorities is planned for early 2019, which is
expected to initiate a multi-year EA, consultation, and permitting processes for the project.
• Commencement of ISR wellfield tests: Field tests involving the drilling of ISR wells into the
Phoenix deposit will be designed to assess permeability throughout the deposit by completing
pump and other hydraulic tests within the orezone. The drilling of ISR wells will also allow for the
collection of additional groundwater and ore samples, as well as provide assistance in refining the
estimated cost of wellfield development.
• Initiation of metallurgical ISR pilot plant testing: Extensive laboratory studies replicating the
ISR flowsheet are planned to test and optimize the mineral processing aspects of the Phoenix
operation. Studies are expected to include the assessment of lixiviant chemistry and performance
under a variety of permeability and grade conditions.
• Discovery focused exploration program: Following years of delineation drilling for the Phoenix
and Gryphon deposits, planned exploration activities in 2019 are designed to evaluate high priority
regional target areas by focusing on initial testing of targets at the sub-Athabasca unconformity –
which could lead to the discovery of further uranium deposits that may be amenable to ISR mining.
David Cates, President and CEO of Denison, commented “With the potential for a Phoenix ISR
operation to have the industry’s lowest operating cost per pound of U3O8, as outlined in the
Wheeler River PFS, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the advancement of the project
and the 2019 budget. The initiation of the EA process, as well as engineering and field studies
designed to ultimately support a feasibility study, illustrates the Company’s commitment to
achieving the project development timeline outlined in the PFS and claiming the ‘pole-position’
amongst undeveloped uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin region. With plans for 2019
including a discovery-oriented exploration program and various engineering programs designed to
de-risk the mine plan for the Phoenix ISR operation, we have the potential for several meaningful
catalysts to emerge during the year.”
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A location map of the Wheeler River project is provided in Figure 1, showing existing and proposed
infrastructure. Figure 2 shows the location of the high priority regional target areas planned for exploration
drill testing in 2019.
Wheeler River PFS: Phoenix ISR Highlights
The PFS considers the potential economic merit of co-developing the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits. The
high-grade Phoenix deposit is designed as an ISR mining operation, with associated processing to a
finished product occurring at a plant to be built on site at Wheeler River. Based on the PFS plan, first
production from Phoenix is expected in 2024, with the development of the Gryphon deposit to follow with
first production from Gryphon projected for 2030. The Phoenix operation is estimated to have a base case
pre-tax Net Present Value (“NPV”) of $930.4 million (at 8% discount rate) representing the large majority of
the project’s overall estimated pre-tax NPV(8%) of $1.31 billion – which includes the self-funding
development of the Gryphon operation from cash-flows generated by the Phoenix operation.
The novel use of the ISR mining method at Phoenix pairs the world’s lowest cost uranium mining method
with the world’s highest grade undeveloped uranium deposit (Phoenix) – in what could prove to be one of
the world’s (1) lowest cost and (2) most environmentally friendly and responsible uranium mining
operations.
• Industry leading operating costs and comparatively low initial capex with ISR for Phoenix
Mine life 10 years (6.0 million lbs U3O8 per year on average)
Probable reserves(1) 59.7 million lbs U3O8 (141,000 tonnes at 19.1% U3O8)
Average cash operating costs $4.33 (US$3.33) per lb U3O8
Initial capital costs $322.5 million (100%)
Base case pre-tax IRR(2) 43.3%
Base case pre-tax NPV8%(2) $930.4 million (100%)
Base case price assumption UxC spot price(3) (from ~US$29 to US$45/lb U3O8)
Operating profit margin(4) 89.0% at US$29/lb U3O8
All-in cost(5) $11.57 (US$8.90) per lb U3O8
(1) For further details on mineral reserves refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report on Wheeler River titled “Pre-feasibility Study for the
Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada” dated October 30, 2018 available on Denison’s website or on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
(2) NPV and IRR are calculated to the start of pre-production activities for the Phoenix operation in 2021;
(3) Spot price forecast is based on “Composite Midpoint” scenario from UxC’s Q3’2018 Urani um Market Outlook (“UMO”) and is stated
in constant (not-inflated) dollars;
(4) Operating profit margin is calculated as uranium revenue less operating costs, divided by uranium revenue. Operating costs
exclude all royalties, surcharges and income taxes;
(5) All-in cost is estimated on a pre-tax basis and includes all project operating costs and capital costs, divided by the estimated
number of pounds U3O8 to be produced
• Environmental advantages of ISR mining at Phoenix – The Company’s evaluation of the ISR
mining method for Phoenix has also identified several significant environmental and permitting
advantages, namely the absence of tailings generation, the potential for no water discharge to
surface water bodies, and the potential to use the existing Provincial power grid to operate on a near
zero carbon emissions basis. In addition, the use of a freeze wall, to encapsulate the ore zone and
contain the lixiviant used in an ISR operation, eliminates common environmental concerns
associated with ISR mining and facilitates a controlled reclamation of the site. Taken together, the
Phoenix operation has the potential to be one of the most environmentally friendly mining operations
in the world. Owing largely to these benefits, consultation with federal and provincial representatives
and stakeholder communities, to date, has been encouraging regarding the use of ISR mining.
Initiation of Environmental Assessment process
The PFS process identified the EA as a key element of the project’s critical path. The PFS estimated a 3-4
year timeline to receive approvals under the existing regulations of the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act (“CEAA 2012”), allowing for construction to commence in 2022 with first production
planned by 2024.
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After careful consideration of the risks and opportunities associated with permitting and concurrent
advancement of project engineering activities, the Company has decided to submit a PD and initiate the EA
process in early 2019 for the Phoenix ISR operation, and to bring the Gryphon operation forward, at a later
date, as required to achieve the PFS plan of Gryphon first production by 2030. This is expected to simplify
the EA and permitting process for the Phoenix operation and reduce the capital required to advance the
project to a definitive development decision.
EA related expenditures planned for 2019 are estimated to be $2.5 million (100% basis) and, in addition to
advancing the actual EA process, will include the continuation and expansion of the collection of certain
baseline environmental data and the continuation of stakeholder consultation efforts.
Commencement of ISR wellfield tests
Additional field and laboratory work is needed to increase confidence and reduce risk in the ISR application
at Phoenix. While preliminary field data supports the use of ISR, the ability to move fluids through the ore
zone is an important technical risk that requires additional evaluation ahead of the initiation of a formal
Feasibility Study (“FS”).
ISR field testing planned for 2019 is expected to include the installation of approximately 15 to 20 ISR wells
into the Phoenix orebody, which is expected to provide a representative test of the various ore domains
associated with Phoenix and the expected conditions in actual ISR operations. The field test is expected to
have the following key objectives:
• Confirm the ability to pump fluids through the various domains of the orebody and quantify
volumes, pressures and other conditions required within the ore zones and surrounding host rock;
• Confirm the ability, costs and schedule to drill larger diameter (8 inch) boreholes and set
impermeable casings within the ground surrounding Phoenix;
• Confirm baseline water conditions in, and surrounding, the deposit for the design of water
treatment during operations, closure plans and the completion of expected environmental
assessments;
• Obtain additional representative ore samples from core drilling to facilitate extensive ISR
metallurgical testing; and
• Obtain surface geotechnical data of soils for foundation designs.
Expenditures related to the field testing planned for 2019 are estimated to be $2.4 million (100% basis).
Initiation of metallurgical ISR pilot plant testing
The PFS results are based on metallurgical test work which was focused on proving the applicability of ISR
mining (via column test) and leachability (via conventional leach tests) for the development of the Phoenix
operation. As the project advances through the EA process and towards the initiation of a FS, additional
metallurgical test work is required to both test and optimize the metallurgical processing elements of the
Phoenix operation. A customized laboratory test program is expected to be developed to properly achieve
the desired metallurgical test objectives – which are likely to include the following:
• Assess the performance of different lixiviants in a variety of permeability and grade conditions;
• Evaluate the potential for build-up of contaminants in the lixiviant;
• Evaluate opportunities to recover rare earth metals as a by-product;
• Increase confidence in the concentration of the lixiviant for the process plant design; and
• Improve confidence in ground restoration abilities and cost estimates.
A laboratory scale pilot plant is planned to run over a one-year period, starting during the second half of
2019, with approximately $0.5 million (100% basis) budgeted for the setup and initial operation of the pilot
plant in 2019.
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Other project development activities
A further approximately $1.7 million (100% basis) is budgeted for project development / evaluation related
activities in 2019, including the completion of certain third-party review studies, additional engineering
trade-off studies related to the proposed Gryphon operation, program management costs, and operator
fees to the WRJV.
The 2019 program is part of a multi-year project development plan that calls for the completion of a FS by
the end of 2020 and receipt of final environmental and permitting approvals in 2021 or 2022 – which is
expected to position Denison to make a definitive development decision on the project. Future activities in
2020 and beyond may include:
• Drilling of pilot / test freeze holes to increase confidence in costs associated with establishing the
freeze wall surrounding the Phoenix deposit;
• Completion of condemnation drilling and mineral resource updates at Phoenix to ensure potentially
economic mineral resources are encapsulated within the freeze wall perimeter; and
• Initiation of a formal FS in accordance with NI 43-101.
Discovery focused exploration program
The 2019 budget also calls for a $3.2 million (100% basis) discovery focused exploration program at
Wheeler River. The program consists exclusively of diamond drilling, including approximately 13,500
metres in 23 planned drill holes.
Following the completion of the PFS and given the highly encouraging results from the proposed Phoenix
ISR operation, the exploration drilling program will be focused on initial testing of targets at the sub-
Athabasca unconformity, with the potential to discover additional ISR amenable uranium deposits.
Potential for basement hosted uranium mineralization will not be ignored where opportunities also exist to
evaluate prospective basement targets.
High priority regional target areas planned for testing in 2019 include K West, M Zone, K South, Gryphon
South, Q South (East), and O Zone, each of which is shown in Figure 2.
About Wheeler River
Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the
Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan – including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of
132.1 million pounds U3O8 at an average grade of 3.3% U3O8, plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources
of 3.0 million pounds U3O8 at an average grade of 1.7% U3O8. The project is host to the high-grade
Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits (discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively), and is a
joint venture between Denison (90% and operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company
Limited (10%).
A PFS was completed, considering the potential economic merit of co-developing the high-grade Phoenix
and Gryphon deposits, the results of which were announced on September 24, 2018. Taken together, the
project is estimated to have mine production of 109.4 million pounds U3O8 over a 14-year mine life, with a
base case pre-tax NPV of $1.31 billion (8% discount rate), Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 38.7%, and
initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million. The PFS is prepared on a project (100%
ownership) and pre-tax basis, as each of the partners to the Wheeler River Joint Venture ("WRJV") are
subject to different tax and other obligations.
Further details regarding the Wheeler River project, including additional scientific and technical information
relevant to the PFS, as well as after-tax results attributable to Denison's ownership interest, are described
in greater detail in the NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Wheeler River project titled "Pre-feasibility Study
for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018 with an effective
date of September 24, 2018. A copy of this report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
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Qualified Persons
The disclosure of the results of the PFS contained in this news release, including the mineral reserves, was
reviewed and approved by Peter Longo, P. Eng, MBA, PMP, Denison’s Vice-President, Project
Development, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.
The disclosure of a scientific or technical nature regarding the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits, including the
mineral resources, contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dale Verran, MSc,
P.Geo., Pr.Sci.Nat., Denison's Vice President, Exploration, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with
the requirements of NI 43-101.
For a description of the data verification, assay procedures and the quality assurance program and quality
control measures applied by Denison in its exploration activities, please see Denison's Annual Information
Form dated March 27, 2018 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Denison
Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin
region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. In addition to its 90% owned Wheeler River project, which
ranks as the largest undeveloped high-grade uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the
Athabasca Basin region, Denison's Athabasca Basin exploration portfolio consists of numerous projects
covering approximately 320,000 hectares. Denison's interests in the Athabasca Basin also include a 22.5%
ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture ("MLJV"), which includes several uranium deposits
and the McClean Lake uranium mill, which is currently processing ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll
milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest and Midwest A deposits, and a 65.92% interest in
the J Zone and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. Each of Midwest, Midwest A, J Zone and
Huskie are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.
Denison is also engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Denison
Environmental Services division and is the manager of Uranium Participation Corp., a publicly traded
company which invests in uranium oxide and uranium hexafluoride.
For more information, please contact
David Cates (416) 979-1991 ext. 362
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sophia Shane (604) 689-7842
Investor Relations
Follow Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes “forward-looking information”, within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation concerning the
business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison.
Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“plans”, “expects”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes”, or the negatives
and / or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”,
“might” or “will be taken”, “occur”, “be achieved” or “has the potential to”. In particular, this press release contains
forward-looking information pertaining to the results of, and estimates, assumptions and projections provided in, the
PFS, including future development methods and plans, market prices, costs and capital expenditures; the Company’s
current plans with respect to the commencement and completion of an EA and feasibility study on the project;
assumptions regarding Denison’s ability to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals to commence development;
Denison’s percentage interest in its projects and its agreements with its joint venture partners; and the availability of
services to be provided by third parties. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking
information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral
resources described can be profitably produced in the future.
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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. Denison faces certain risks, including the inability to permit or develop the
project as currently planned, the unpredictability of market prices, the use of mining methods which are novel and
untested in the Athabasca Basin, events that could materially increase costs, changes in the regulatory environment
governing the project lands, and unanticipated claims against title and rights to the project. Denison believes that the
expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but there can be no assurance that such
statements will prove to be accurate and 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
“Risk Factors” in Denison’s Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2018 available under its profile at
www.sedar.com and its Form 40-F available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. These factors are not, and should not be
construed as being exhaustive.
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 its expectations except as otherwise required by
applicable legislation.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral
Resources and Probable Mineral Reserves: This news release may use the terms 'measured', 'indicated' and
'inferred' mineral resources. U nited States investors are advised that while such terms have been prepared in
accordance with the definition standards on mineral reserves of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and
Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43 -101 Min eral Disclosure Standards ("NI 43 -101") and are
recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
does not recognize them. 'Inferred mineral resources' have a great amount of uncertainty as to the ir existence, and as
to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever
be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form t he
basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any
part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States
investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is
economically or legally mineable. The estimates of mineral reserves in this press release have been prepared in
accordance with 43-101. The definition of probable mineral res erves used in NI 43 -101 differs from the definition used
by the SEC in the SEC's Industry Guide 7. Under the requirements of the SEC, mineralization may not be classified as
a "reserve" unless the determination has been made, pursuant to a "final" or "ban kable" feasibility study that the
mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made.
Accordingly, Denison's probable mineral reserves disclosure may not be comparable to information from U .S.
companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
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Figure 1: Location map of the Wheeler River project, showing existing and proposed infrastructure
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Figur
Figure 2: Location of the high priority regional target areas planned for exploration drill testing in 2019,
shown on the Wheeler River basement geology map.