MINERAL INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 40TH ANNUAL GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN HOUSE

This week will be all about geoscience as more than 700 geologists and mining exploration company officials gather at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon, November 30 to December 2, for the 40th Annual Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources organizes this event each year to showcase results of the province's mineral geoscience program and provide a forum for presentations by industry on its Saskatchewan mining and mineral exploration projects. Sessions range from updates on recent uranium exploration successes to exploration and development in potash, coal, base metals and diamonds. There's also a trade show and poster displays.

"The Open House is Saskatchewan's top conference for mineral geoscience," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "This is the 40th Annual Open House and every year it draws increasing interest. We have some of the country's richest mineral deposits right here in Saskatchewan and we are proud to showcase our province to the world."

This year's free public lecture is titled, "Ancient Treasure Chests: The Fantastic Dinosaur Bonebeds of Mongolia, China and Alberta". It will be delivered by Dr. David A. Eberth, Senior Research Scientist, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, Alberta at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, in the Battlefords Room at the Delta Bessborough Hotel.

Mining is Saskatchewan's third largest industry. Mineral exploration expenditures in 2008 were an all-time high of $474 million. Total mineral sales for 2008 hit a record $9.7 billion, making Saskatchewan the country's top mineral producer in value of production.

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For more information, contact:

Linda Ungar
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Cell: 306-537-3825