The success of Saskatchewan’s mining industry is the focus of Saskatchewan Mining Week, taking place from May 26 to June 1. This week provides an opportunity to celebrate the mining industry achievements and contributions to the economic growth of Saskatchewan, and its role in providing employment, energy and food security to the world.
The mining industry is extremely important to the people and the economy of our province and is one of the province’s largest and most dynamic economic sectors, providing over 30,500 jobs in Saskatchewan.
Special mining events are scheduled throughout the province during this dedicated week. The Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce will host a Mining Breakfast May 29th with a presentation by Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) President Pam Schwann. Last year, Moose Jaw was host to the 50th Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition. This year the competition will be held at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon Saturday, June 1st.
Our Province is the largest potash producer in the world, home to almost half of the world’s potash reserves. Saskatchewan is also the world’s second largest primary uranium producer, with a catalogue of other minerals such as gold, base metals, precious metals and diamonds. Our mining industry provides valuable employment across the province, including several northern Saskatchewan communities.
The Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2018 released this past February 28th has ranked Saskatchewan third in the world and number one in Canada for mining investment attractiveness. In the past decade, more than $3 billion has been invested in mineral exploration in our province with an estimated $228 million invested in 2018.
Two years ago, K+S Potash Canada officially opened its Bethune potash solution mine, Saskatchewan’s first new potash mine in nearly 50 years. BHP Billiton has also made substantial investments and we are confident the BHP Jansen project will attract more investment in the province. SSR Mining Inc. is planning a seven-year, $90 million expansion for its Seabee gold operation located 125 kilometers north east of La Ronge; Saskatchewan’s only active gold mine.
Mining companies operating in Saskatchewan have been proactive in reducing their environmental footprint over the past decade, including decreasing GHG emissions intensity. Case in point, Saskatchewan’s full lifecycle GHG emissions intensity for potash is only 29 per cent of the global average; Saskatchewan uranium is used to power clean baseload energy in the United States, Europe, Asia and closer to home in Ontario and New Brunswick, and innovative CCS technology captures C02 emissions from Saskatchewan’s coal-fired power plants. Saskatchewan mining companies are global leaders in sustainable mineral production.
Mosaic and K+S potash mines provide employment for many people living in the Moose Jaw area. Their contributions to our local economy and their support of many charitable local projects and programs, is much appreciated.
Saskatchewan Mining Week helps us to recognize and be more aware of these many community contributions.
