Mining Week is upon us, and with that, we are reminded how important it is to the province.

Deb Young with Energy and Resources on why it matters.

"Over 30,000 people in Saskatchewan are employed directly or indirectly by the mining sector, Saskatchewan generated 7 billion dollars in mineral sales in 2018 and so obviously that's a very important industry for us. The Fraser Institute currently ranks Saskatchewan as the third best jurisdiction in the world and number one for its mining investment attractiveness."

Saskatchewan is also ranked the number one jurisdiction in the world for mining policy integrity.

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA), Mining Week will feature a variety of events involving stakeholder groups, such as Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. 

There will be a breakfast on Wednesday morning in Moose Jaw at the Grant Hall, and the week will finish with the 51st Annual Emergency Response Mine Rescue Skills Competition on June 1st at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.

The Government of Saskatchewan’s new drilling program, the Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive, has already triggered a net increase of more than 628,000 hectares of new mineral dispositions.

"And, of course," said Young, "we're leading, world leaders, in potash and uranium and we hope to be more and more in gold and copper, nickel and lithium in some other emerging mining areas so we certainly are leading players in the mining landscape for sure."

For a complete event schedule and further information about Saskatchewan Mining Week, you can visit www.saskmining.ca.