NexGen Energy (CN:NXE) has hired former EY Canadian Mining and Metals leader Bruce Sprague as its new CFO and picked up former Cameco (CN:CCO) health and safety chief Shawn Merriman to look after permitting for its neighbouring project in Saskatchewan.

The appointment of Sprague means former CFO Grace Marosists has been moved to the job of vice president for finance and IT.

The Vancouver-based company is developing the Arrow deposit, and released a preliminary economic assessment in August.

CEO Leigh Curyer said the hires showed the company was getting serious about developing Arrow.

"These two appointments reflect NexGen's rapid progression in size and scale of activities as the company continues to develop Arrow and set elite standards in every aspect of our operations," he said.