The former ‘have-not’ province of Saskatchewan is now the second-leading mining jurisdiction in Canada, with mineral production valued at more than $9 billion. Saskatchewan has a greatly underdeveloped mining industry, arguably due in part to its former political climate. Now, as a leadership shift in the province begins to take shape, the land that borders Alberta’s oil sands to the West and the Northwest Territories diamonds to the North, appears poised for unprecedented growth. Though prolific rivals such as Quebec overshadow Saskatchewan’s mining sector, the province has the potential to become a leading international mining jurisdiction.

Expanding Asian markets are driving a significant amount of this growth. Saskatchewan’s exports to China have almost doubled in value since 2007 and there has been a 66% increase in exports to Japan. Saskatchewan is currently engaged with the federal government in negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India. There is also an increasing interest from Asian companies assessing the investment opportunities of Saskatchewan’s resource sector. While potash and uranium present the most significant resources currently being developed in the province, exceptional deposits of gold, diamonds, coal, rare earth minerals (REMs), amongst others, are continuing to see advancement. But, as a humble province of just over 1 million residents, a number of key challenges stand in the way of Saskatchewan’s significant growth and a secured place as a leading global mining leader.