Mining in Saskatchewan
Overview:
Critical Minerals
When it comes to critical minerals, Saskatchewan is in an enviable position. Saskatchewan has 27 of the 34 critical minerals on Canada’s Critical Minerals List including potash, uranium, helium, lithium, copper and rare earth elements (REE).
The world is looking to Canada to be a tier 1 mineral producer of critical minerals as we have the geological potential and a record of strong environmental and social performance.
Saskatchewan is a mining powerhouse, providing potash for agriculture, uranium for clean fuel.
Mining is one of Saskatchewan’s key economic pillars >12% of GDP.
In 2023, Saskatchewan’s mining industry invested $12.6 B in mineral projects in Saskatchewan; with the mineral exploration industry investing over $400M in finding the next generation of mines that will continue to provide economic and social prosperity to residents of Saskatchewan while securing global food and clean energy security.
Commodities
Potash
- Potash is a critical mineral primarily used as a fertilizer to support plant growth, increase crop yield, disease resistance, and water retention, helping to provide global food security.
- Saskatchewan has the largest and richest potash resources in the world and could supply the needs of farmers worldwide for several hundred years.
- There are 10 producing potash mines in Saskatchewan (K+S Potash Canada, The Mosaic Company & Nutrien), with 1 large underground pre-production mine (BHP) and one smaller solution mine in development.
- Saskatchewan has historically provided roughly 1/3 of the world’s potash production. Our main global competitors for producing potash are Belarus and Russia, who combined produce about 37.5% of the world’s potash.
Uranium
- Uranium is a critical mineral used worldwide to produce the nuclear fuel for safe, reliable, clean-air electricity.
- Saskatchewan is home to the world’s highest grade uranium mines.
- Two uranium mines and two uranium mills operate along the eastern flank of the Athabasca Basin Region in northern Saskatchewan. The Cigar Lake Mine, McArthur River Mine and Key Lake Mill are operated by Cameco Corporation and the McClean Lake Mill is operated by Orano Canada.
Gold
- Saskatchewan has one producing gold mine, SSR Mining’s Seabee Gold Operation is located in northern Saskatchewan approximately 125 kilometers northeast of the town of La Ronge.
- The Seabee mill facility produces gold dore bars that are shipped to a third party refinery.
Coal
- Coal is found in southern Saskatchewan. Westmoreland Mining operates 2 coal mines located in Estevan and Coronach.
- Coal is Saskatchewan’s largest supplier of baseload power. 30% of SaskPower’s electricity supply comes from coal.
- Coal is very reliable as it is the largest source of power worldwide.
