Released on December 2, 2013
Saskatchewan’s premiere venue for those involved in the province’s mining and mineral exploration industry begins today with a focus on new geosciences work in support of mineral exploration and development.
The Saskatchewan Geological Open House is being held December 2–4 at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon with about 600 local, national and international delegates expected to attend. This is the 44th year for the event, organized through a partnership between the Saskatchewan Geological Survey (SGS), the Ministry of the Economy and the non-profit Saskatchewan Geological Society.
“There is significant global demand for Saskatchewan’s mineral resources,” Energy and Resources Minister Tim McMillan said. “This has secured our mining industry as not only one of the foundations of our provincial economy, but has also established us as a mining heavyweight in the world. There’s no question that the Saskatchewan Geological Open House is the place to be for stakeholders who need to know who and what is at the very forefront of this industry.”
The focus of the conference will be a strong technical program highlighting the geoscience activities of the SGS and geoscience research programs at Saskatchewan’s universities. These talks are complimented with industry-focused presentations detailing various projects in the province and advancements in mineral exploration techniques. The three-day agenda also includes a technical poster session, commercial exhibits, a student night, hospitality events, and a public lecture by Dr. Don Henderson, Curator of Dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Alberta.
The geoscience information provided by the SGS is integral to profiling Saskatchewan’s mineral potential, as well as facilitating mineral exploration. In its 2012/13 survey of mining companies, the Fraser Institute ranked Saskatchewan second in Canada and fouth overall out of 96 jurisdictions surveyed for ease of access and quality of geologic databases.
With the world’s largest high-grade uranium deposits, roughly half of the world’s known potash reserves and a considerable variety of other minerals, Saskatchewan’s mineral sector is attracting significant long-term investment. The mining industry’s contribution to the provincial economy has increased from $175 million in 2002 to $4.4 billion in 2012, and the value of Saskatchewan’s potash sales alone was more than $6 billion in 2012.
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For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Economy
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca