The Government of Saskatchewan, with the Saskatchewan Mining Association, has proclaimed May 31 to June 6 as Saskatchewan Mining Week.
The week, which includes a virtual launch, activities and presentations, highlights Saskatchewan’s world-class mining sector, its extensive contributions to local communities and the provincial and global economy.
This year’s theme is Mining: Essential to Local and Global Communities.
According to a government news release, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and temporary market conditions, Saskatchewan’s mining sector is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in the provincial economic recovery, promoting food security and supplying critical resources, including clean energy, to the world.
In 2019, Saskatchewan produced more potash than any other country and about 30 per cent of the world total. Saskatchewan is also the world’s second-largest uranium producer, accounting for approximately 13 per cent of global production.
“This week highlights the resilience and success of our mining sector and its growing diversification, including into diamonds, nickel and copper,” Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “In recent years, Saskatchewan has proudly welcomed new mining companies to the province. We offer some of the most extensive mineral research labs in the world, internationally renowned geoscience and extensive junior exploration opportunities.”
Saskatchewan remains a favourable jurisdiction for investment in mineral exploration and development. The province offers a stable regulatory environment, competitive royalty structures, and various incentives, including a provincial sales tax exemption for exploratory and downhole drilling activity and the Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive, which supports exploration for precious and base metals and diamonds.
“The products we mine are essential for providing food and clean energy to global communities, while providing essential jobs for Saskatchewan residents and revenues to governments,” Saskatchewan Mining Association president Pam Schwann said.
Estimated exploration expenditures in the province for 2019 were $281 million, with more than $2.3 billion in expenditures over the past decade. Saskatchewan’s mining industry generated $7.4 billion in sales in 2019 and more than $72.3 billion since 2010.
“While the importance of mining operations in Saskatchewan has always been recognized, the global COVID-19 pandemic has brought focus to the essential nature of mining, and its supply chains, in providing food, clean energy and critical minerals, as well as essential jobs to our economy,” said SMA chair Tammy Van Lambalgen.
Beyond its unprecedented challenges, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to have clarity on mining’s values, and to recognize the utmost importance of keeping employees and communities safe. They enhanced safety measures, restricted access to mines and implemented screening protocols. To protect northern employees and their communities, they suspended production at all remote mines and mills with employees sent home temporarily with pay.
The Saskatchewan mining industry, even while facing its own hardships, has been resilient and supported communities through financial assistance of over $2.5 million in addition to providing personal protective equipment and essential goods to many non-profits, community organizations, Indigenous and emergency response groups.
“Saskatchewan Mining Week provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions of our industry to the economic growth of Saskatchewan. During these challenging times, we are privileged to be able to continue to make a difference and improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan people by providing essential work to employees and suppliers, by continuing to contribute to government revenues to fund health, education and infrastructure programs and by providing community support,” said Schwann.
