Saskatchewan has a lot to be proud of when it comes to the mining industry. At the launch of Saskatchewan Mining Week, beginning today, Minister of Energy and Resources Jim Reiter spoke on the accomplishments that the province achieved in the past few years. He says in 2022, mining sales reached $19.5 billion, blowing 2021’s sales of $8.6 billion out of the water. In addition to that, uranium and potash alone contributed 12 per cent of the GDP, and the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2022 ranked Saskatchewan first in Canada and third globally.

Because of these successes, the Government of Saskatchewan released a new Critical Minerals Strategy. Reiter says the strategy has four goals to accomplish by 2023. They are to increase Saskatchewan’s share of Canadian mineral exploration spending by 15 per cent, to double the number of critical minerals being produced in the province, to grow Saskatchewan’s production of potash uranium and helium, and to establish Saskatchewan as a rare earth element hub.

To celebrate, several events are taking place in major cities around the province. Presentations will be made on topics such as the nuclear energy market, sustainable mining, and global demand. Mining Week concludes on Saturday at Prairieland Park with the 53 Emergency Response Mine Rescue Skills Competition, with a record 18 teams competing.