Mining Week in Saskatchewan runs from May 29 - June 4, 2011. This year’s theme is “Mining: Investing in Saskatchewan’s Growth”.
The Saskatchewan Mining Association is hosting events all over the province including province wide awareness activities (including a province-wide billboard campaign) and community media interviews commence.
A number of presentations were held throughout the province by mining executives including a Women In Mining (WIM) Reception with guest speaker Betty Ann Heggie “The Stiletto Chick” at the Radisson Hotel in Saskatoon.
Saturday, June 4, the 43rd Annual Emergency Response/Mine Rescue Skills Competition will be held a
t Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. The Emergency Rescue Team (ERT) from Sherritt Coal’s Poplar River Mine, near Coronach will be competing in the above ground category of the competition.
Sherritt Coal operates the Poplar River Mine (PRM) near Coronach, contributing to the sustainability of the community of Coronach and a number of surrounding communites. PRM is a open pit coal mine, supplying coal to SaskPower’s Poplar River Power Station.
Sherritt Coal’s mines at Estevan and Coronach, account for 60% of the Province’s baseload of electrical power.
Sherritt is the largest thermal coal producer in Canada.
Saskatchewan Mining Association mining facts:
• Saskatchewan is a significant player in the canadian and global mining scene. in 2009, it continued to be the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash, and one of the world’s leaders in uranium production.
• Canada supplies about one third of the world’s potash. Most of this production comes from Saskatchewan with a small portion coming from a Potashcorp mine in new Brunswick.
• Saskatchewan is canada’s only producer of uranium accounting for 20% of world production in 2009, a decrease from 28% in 2005.
• The global recession of 2008/09 affected Saskatchewan’s and canada’s mineral production in 2009. the total value of minerals produced in Canada dropped to $32.2 billion, a 31.5% decrease from $47.0 billion in 2008.
• Saskatchewan mineral production was also affected by the recession. in 2009, Saskatchewan mineral production was valued at $5 billion, down from the record $9.7 billion achieved in 2008.
• The primary reduction was related to the amount and value of potash production. in 2009, potash prices fell steadily from near uS$900/t to $400/t. Many potash mines reduced production in 2009; the quantity produced declined from 10.4 Mt to 4.3 Mt while the value dropped from $8 billion to $3.4 billion. in spite of the temporary closures, the potash industry in Saskatchewan continued to make multi-billion dollar investments in their expansion operations.
• Potash was canada’s second leading mineral by value of output in 2009 at $3.4 billion.
• Uranium metal production was a bright spot in 2009, with an increase in its production value, up from $954 million to $1.39 billion on the strength of increased volumes (which rose from 8.7 million kg to 10.1 million kg) and higher prices.
• Mining companies operating in Saskatchewan produced 15.6 % of canada’s total mineral output in 2009.
• In 2008 Saskatchewan was canada’s #1 mineral producing jurisdiction with mineral production valued at a record $9.7 billion.
• Saskatchewan has the largest high grade reserves in the world for both potash and uranium.
• In addition to potash, uranium and coal, Saskatchewan has a wealth of developing mineral resources including diamonds, gold, platinum & palladium, rare earth elements, copper, zinc, nickel, sodium and potassium sulphates and mineralized brines.
• The provincial mining industry is recognized as one of the most technologically advanced in the world.
• Mining is a major contributor to Saskatchewan’s economy, directly contributing almost $2 billion in revenue to the provincial government in 2008. these revenues support government programs and services such as health care, education and infrastructure development.
• Overall in 2008, mining (direct, indirect, and induced) accounted for $7.7 billion in GdP or 12% of the total provincial economy.
• Direct, indirect and induced mining employment accounted for 30,500 jobs or 6% of total employment, almost 1 in every 16 jobs with a payroll of $1.5 billion
• From 2008 - 2028,
- The Saskatchewan mineral industry will invest over $43 billion in expansions and new mines. This translates to new investments of $6 M a day
- Mining employment (direct, indirect and induced) will see its contribution rise to 17% of total employment or almost 1 in 5 jobs.
- Mining will generate over 286,000 person years of direct employment in construction in operational activity
- Mining will contribute and additional $9.5 billion per year to provincial GDP.
- Mining will generate a further $28 billion in provincial revenues or $1.4 billion per year, for a total of over $50 billion.
The week wraps up following the ERT competition with a banquet, awards and dance in Saskatoon.
