Meet the province that is home to 23 of the key minerals that make modern life possible.
Saskatchewan
As the world grows and technology advances, it’s important to look under the surface, at what we need to drive that change – and we need critical minerals to accomplish that goal. The western Canadian province of Saskatchewan has some of the highest quality and sustainably produced food, fuel and fertilizer a growing world needs. Canada has identified 31 critical minerals as essential for global energy and food security, a growing population, and a low-carbon future. Saskatchewan has 23 of them, including potash, uranium, helium, lithium, and rare earth elements.
When looking at the province, you can see an exciting future. One where established industry and new exploration work in tandem. Saskatchewan is the world’s largest potash producer, reaching 37 per cent global market share in 2022. The vital fertilizer increases crop productivity at home and around the world. This is exactly what the worlds need to address growing food security challenges.
Driving towards the future, we see how important Saskatchewan elements will be on the world stage. This includes lithium-ion batteries, an essential part of everything from the smallest headphones to the largest electric car. A sustainable, reliable source of lithium is something the world is searching for, and Saskatchewan has it.
Saskatchewan has the largest high-grade uranium deposits around the globe and is well-positioned to respond to the growing need for uranium fuel. As interest in nuclear power grows and is further explored, the world needs a safe and stable supplier. Saskatchewan can fill that need.
More than just party balloons, helium is vital for research and everyday medical technology, like MRI machines. As research and development continues, Saskatchewan has the resources necessary to ensure increased quality of life for everyone. Better yet, because the province’s helium comes from dedicated wells, it’s produced with far less greenhouse gas emissions than other jurisdictions.
As the world relies on these minerals, the province is proud to be producing them sustainably. Saskatchewan potash mines produce half the emissions per tonne of potash as competing jurisdictions, and yet achieve 30 per cent of global production. Saskatchewan exports more than 13.5 million tonnes of potassium oxide around the world. The province understands the importance of sustainable practices when it comes to a productive global economy and ensuring future generations are set up for success. The province is rising to the challenge by prioritizing sustainable resource development, environmental stewardship, and clean energy. Today, Saskatchewan is sharing its sustainability story on sustainablesk.ca.
The province continues to be at the forefront of the development of rare earth elements (REE). That has led to the province developing the first-of-its-kind REE processing facility in North America. In fact, Saskatchewan Research Council’s facility produced Canada’s first rare earth ingot in 2022. It’s not a case of merely having the elements, but of being able to process and use them, and Saskatchewan has the tools to take them from raw elements to a usable form. Like lithium, these elements are a vital part of new technology, and a stable and sustainable source is going to be vital as the world’s technology continues to advance.
You might not realize it, but these critical minerals are a component that makes modern life possible. With 23 of them in their own backyard, that makes the province critical for world energy and food security.
In uncertain times, it means Saskatchewan is the place that can supply jurisdictions all over the world with what they need to grow their economies. The need for a reliable, stable, sustainable supply chain is why the world has taken notice. Learn more here.
