MINING WEEK CELEBRATES INDUSTRY’S INVESTMENT IN SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan's mining industry is a cornerstone of our economy, and the key role it plays in our overall prosperity is being celebrated during Mining Week in Saskatchewan, May 29 to June 4.

Mining: Investing in Saskatchewan's Growth is this year's theme and speaks not only to the industry's considerable investment in its mining operations here, but also to its investment in Saskatchewan communities, workers and the province's gross domestic product.

"Our rich and diverse mineral resources have attracted mining companies from around the world," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said. "They see in our province a jurisdiction that ‘gets mining' and which provides for them, and for us, the Saskatchewan Advantage."

Mining is the province's third largest industry, employing more than 30,000 people directly and indirectly and in jobs induced by mining activities.

Mineral sales were valued at more than $6.8 billion last year. Mineral exploration spending came in at $319 million in 2010, primarily in exploration for potash, coal and uranium but also for gold, base metals and diamonds. Preliminary estimates for 2011 are for $280 million in exploration spending.

"Mineral exploration is the first step on the road to commercial production," Boyd said. "With the new discoveries that have resulted from this work, a number of projects are advancing and the future of the mining industry is very bright indeed."

"The Saskatchewan mining industry will be investing over $43 billion in new mines and expansions in Saskatchewan over the next 20 years," Saskatchewan Mining Association First Vice-President Steve Fortney said. "These capital investments will result in job and business opportunities as the mining sector grows."

Saskatchewan is the largest potash producer in the world and its second largest uranium producer. Other minerals mined in the province include gold, coal, salt, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, silica sand and bentonite.

The Saskatchewan Mining Association coordinates Mining Week events, and has varied activities planned throughout the week, wrapping up with the 43rd annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition June 4 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.

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For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: robert.ellis@gov.sk.ca