In 2021, Saskatchewan metallic minerals contributed $131.5-million to the GDP and paid $19-million in federal provincial and local taxes. Saskatchewan’s potash industry contributed $8.5-billion to the GDP last year and paid $2-billion in taxes, and the uranium industry contributed $515-million to the GDP while paying $133-million in taxes. These statistics were highlighted at the launch of Mining Week, organized by the Saskatchewan Mining Association.

Chair of the SMA, Larry Long, says the week is an opportunity to highlight the achievements and contributions of the industry to the economic growth of Saskatchewan, and the current and emerging roles in providing the critical minerals necessary for global clean energy and food security. He adds that most people think of Saskatchewan’s mining industry being potash, uranium, oil and gas, which is true, but there has been a lot of exploration work over the last couple of decades with copper, zinc, gold, lithium, helium and diamonds among them.

Last year, mining companies spent $214-million on exploration in the province and it’s expected to increase to $263-million this year. Long says for every direct job in the Saskatchewan mining industry, there are at least two jobs in the mining supply and service sector. The industry is also looking to be more reflective of its communities, with the goal to hire more Indigenous people and more women.