Released on November 26, 2001
Governments are investing in new geo-science research to help the miningindustry explore the potential of a large diamond deposit in Saskatchewan.
Churchill River MP Rick Laliberte and Saskatchewan Energy and Mines
Minister Andrew Thomson today announced funding for a geological study of
diamond-bearing rock in the Fort à la Corne area, 50 kilometres north of
Prince Albert. Laliberte made the announcement to coincide with the annual
open house of the Saskatchewan Geological Survey being held
Nov. 26th-28th in Saskatoon.
This is just one of several recent projects to stimulate mineral
exploration in Saskatchewan. The study is funded by Natural Resources
Canada (NRCan), Saskatchewan Energy and Mines and industry. Natural
Resources Canada's funding is part of the national $15 million, three-year
Targeted Geo-science Initiative. Saskatchewan Energy and Mines' funding is
from the $920,000 increase for enhanced geo-science that was included this
year's provincial budget.
"Saskatchewan communities will see new economic development, employment and
skills training from the increased exploration and mining," Laliberte said,
on behalf of NRCan Minister Ralph Goodale. "A thriving mining industry is
crucial to the Canadian and the Saskatchewan economies and quality of life."
"Saskatchewan has great geological potential and we are excited about the
possibilities of further exploration in our province," Thomson said.
"Studies, like the one announced today, will provide the mining industry
with geological information that demonstrates to investors the potential
for new mineral discoveries."
Minister Thomson and MP Laliberte said the Saskatchewan Geological Survey
Open House is an important forum for Saskatchewan to showcase the
impressive results of enhanced geo-science programs and the great mineral
potential Saskatchewan has to offer
More than 200 geo-scientists attending the Geological Survey Open House
this week will hear about work on the diamond potential in the Fort à la
Corne-Prince Albert area, new digital data to increase geo-scientific
knowledge of the Athabasca Basin aimed at helping find deeper deposits of
uranium, northern geological mapping programs, a new study of coper-zinc
deposits in Creighton, and financing and exploration trends.
Mining in Canada today is a $28 billion industry and the lifeblood of some
600,000 Canadians in rural, remote and Aboriginal communities. During the
past year, the mining industry invested $30 million in mineral exploration
in Saskatchewan. The province is the largest producer of uranium and
potash in the world, accounting for over 30 per cent of global production.
Saskatchewan also produces a variety of other minerals including gold,
copper, zinc, salt, coal, clay, sodium sulphate, silver, lead and nickel.
Natural Resources Canada funding in Saskatchewan for mineral exploration
now totals more than $2 million.
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For more information, contact:
Pat Breton Janet Peters
Natural Resources Canada Energy and Mines
Ottawa Regina
Phone: (613) 996-2007 Phone: (306) 787-2567
Cell: (306) 539-6948