SASKATOON, Sask. — Premier Scott Moe sees Saskatchewan playing a major role in the global mining industry, saying the province has the resources needed to meet the world's growing demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements.
Speaking to reporters after participating in a panel with several cabinet ministers at the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce's political forum Nov. 6, at Prairieland Park, Moe said mining gives Saskatchewan an advantage on the global stage.
Ministers Chris Beaudry (Energy and Resources), Ken Cheveldayoff (Advanced Education), Jeremy Harrison (Crown Investments Corporation), Warren Kaeding (Trade and Export Development) and Jim Reiter (Finance) joined Moe at the forum.
"We have obviously a mining advantage here in the province. That's well known, and we are a global leader in uranium. We have significant potential across potash and critical minerals,” said Moe, adding that the province's resources would help attract further investment in the mining industry.
"What we have to do in this province and what we're doing in this province now is, yes, we're creating more volume. We're producing more volume, more potash, more uranium, more wheat, but we're climbing the value chain. And so it's the value of our exports that is climbing."
Moe said Saskatchewan's mining sector is worth $45 billion and could continue growing as the province expands beyond its established uranium and potash industries into resources such as lithium and helium.
"And as we climb that value chain, it's creating manufacturing value-added jobs right here at home. And that's the next step that I see us moving into in Saskatchewan… The opportunities are endless as we focus on the value of our exports as opposed to the volume of our exports,” said Moe.
He also pointed to major construction projects, including uranium mines, that have attracted investment and are beginning construction.
Moe highlighted helium as another resource with growth potential. He said improved tax treatment could support investment in a proposed liquefaction facility near Swift Current. He also pointed to federal funding measures supporting nuclear supply-chain development.
Kaeding said the province had attracted more investment over the past year, citing increases of 45 per cent in mining investment, 30 per cent in manufacturing and approximately 500 per cent in agricultural value-added investment.
He also highlighted Saskatchewan's potential in critical minerals.
"Mining, critical minerals, we talked about 27 of those 34 critical minerals that North America believes are essential are here in Saskatchewan. In fact, we're still finding more every day,” said Kaeding.
