Applications to two new critical minerals incentive programs are now open.

The government of Saskatchewan’s Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive and the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive target 11 critical minerals found in the province. The former supports value-added processing projects, while the latter supports commercial innovation projects.

The province’s helium and lithium industries are expected to benefit most from the programs. The development of minerals with near-term high potential such as copper, zinc, magnesium, nickel and rare earth elements will also be supported.

The Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive will come from a $500 million funding pool, also shared with the pre-established Oil and Gas Processing Investment Incentive and will be available until March 2029.

For innovation-related projects, the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive will come out of a funding pool of $100 million, shared with the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive, and will also receive applications until March 2029.