Our Mining Industry
Saskatchewan mineral sales totalled $6.7 billion in 2017. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) estimates that Saskatchewan accounted for 13% of national sales value, fourth highest in Canada.
The province is the largest potash producer in the world, accounting for approximately one-third of total production in 2017, and hosting over half of the globe’s potash reserves.Saskatchewan is also one of the world’s largest producers of uranium, with the Athabasca Basin containing the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world. Saskatchewan is Canada’s third-largest producer of coal, producing an average of 10 million tonnes per year.
The province is also home to one of the world’s largest fields of diamond-bearing kimberlite.This discovery has led to extensive exploration and evaluation. Saskatchewan has large underexplored areas with high gold potential. The Seabee Operation produced 83,998 ounces of gold in 2017, a record annual production.
In addition, the province has deposits of copper, zinc, nickel, rare earth minerals and platinum group metals as well as various industrial minerals including sodium sulphate and salt.
Major Mining Companies Operating in Saskatchewan
Nutrien
Mosaic Company
BHP Billiton Canada Inc.
K+S Potash Canada
ORANO Canada
Cameco
Vale Limited
Rio Tinto
Acron
Yancoal
Fast Facts
Total operating mines (2017): 21, including potash, uranium, gold, coal, sodium sulphate, salt and clay
GDP (2017): Minerals and petroleum contribute 21% of total provincial GDP
Total mineral sales value (2017): $6.6 billion
Value of potash sales (2017): 4.8 billion
Exploration expenditures (2017): $170 million
Current Industry Activities
NRCan reports that Saskatchewan continued to lead all provinces in 2017, with intended capital investments in the mineral extraction sector, representing nearly 23% of national expenditures, second only to Ontario. More recently, focus has shifted towards ongoing operations. This, in part, reflects the current down cycle in commodity prices. While there continues to be long-term opportunities in supplying the mining industry in Saskatchewan, newcomers will need to understand current market conditions and provide additional value or solutions to compete with existing suppliers.
High demand for specific goods and services during the recent build appears to have eased.
In addition to the significant ongoing mining operations in the province, there are several mining projects currently under different stages of evaluation.
Supply Chain Opportunities
Opportunities for suppliers exist in both ongoing mining operations as well as new mine development. Examples of the types of equipment, goods and services required for standard operations and development are listed below:
Operating Mines:
Chemicals and reagents
Fuels and lubes
De-dusting oil for potash
Mobile equipment – trucks, dozers, front-end loaders
Underground conveyor belting
Bearings, seals and power transmission parts
Electrical consumables such as breakers, fuses, switches and fixtures
Pipes, valves and related fittings, i.e. PVC, steel and copper
Boilers, piping, forged components
Electronics and instrumentation
Logistics, handling and storage
Reagents and environment
Bulk cement, explosives
Diesel fuel, propane
Maintenance parts – mobile equipment
Computers and telecommunication
General service
Site Services:
Water
Waste disposal
Catering
Camp accommodation
Janitorial services
Pest control
Onsite security
Onsite medical
Transportation
Internet and phone
Storage shelters
Key manufactured goods for new mine development:
Pumps and piping
Valves and fittings
Concrete
Electrical
Steel and fabrication
Equipment
Surface Construction:
Mill/product storage/
flotation buildings
Cyclones
Grinding equipment
Scrubbers
Pumps and piping
Dryers
Thickeners
Tanks and storage bins
Conveyors
Bucket elevators
Boilers
Centrifuges
Overhead cranes
Compressors
Fire protection systems
Process control equipment
Process chemicals
HVAC equipment
Agitators
Belt scales
Transformers
Switch gears
Underground Construction:
Walking/drill rigs and drill bits
Ultrasound measurement
equipment
Hoist rope/wire rope
Winches
Pumps
Electrical equipment
Hydraulic motors
Conveyors and components
Fans
Scoop trams
Limit switches
Cranes
Crushers
Screens
Rock drill lifts
Instrumentation
Load and hauling machinery
Raise bore systems
Specialized mine vehicles
Rock tools
Explosives and suppliers
Rock drills
Events and Resources
Mining Supply Chain Forum
This annual event provides a venue for mining project, procurement and operations personnel to meet with manufacturing, equipment and service companies to discuss opportunities in the mining supply chain. The forum attracts over 900 participants who represent mining, engineering and supply chain companies. Forum attendees hear presentations delivered by organizations such as Nutrien, BHP Billiton, AREVA, Cameco, Mosaic, SNC Lavalin, AMEC and Hatch. The forum tradeshow also provides attendees with the opportunity to network and connect with mining and engineering companies from across the province. saskmining.ca/Mines-in-Saskatchewan/SaskatchewanMining-Supply-Chain%20-Forum How to Successfully Access the Mining Supply Chain This guide provides key information to Saskatchewan manufacturers interested in understanding the potash and uranium industries. The guide describes opportunities and the process of becoming a successful preferred supplier. The guide also provides insight into the characteristics mining companies look for in suppliers. www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=81697
Potash Mining Supply Chain Requirement Guide
This report provides information on the types of goods and services required to support the development and operation of both a conventional and a solution mine. It follows through lifecycle stages such as exploration and resource evaluation, through to closure, reclamation and monitoring. www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=81699 Uranium Mining Supply Chain Requirement Guide This guide outlines the quantity, value and scheduling of supplies and services purchased by Saskatchewan’s uranium mining project owners and/or operators to assist with the development, operation, maintenance, decommission and close out of projects. www.publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=81698
Saskatchewan Manufacturers Guide This online database lists a variety of manufacturers in Saskatchewan, searchable by industry, product or location. www.economy.gov.sk.ca/mfgguide
Services We Provide
Information regarding general supply chain opportunities in the mining industry Business-to-business support connecting suppliers to buyers
Targeted industry events linking companies to current supply chain opportunities Resources and support for companies interested in investing in Saskatchewan
For more information, contact:
Ms. Michele Grella
Supply Chain Development
Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development
219 Robin Crescent
Saskatoon, SK S7L 6M8
Phone: (306) 933-5751
Fax: (306) 933-8244
Email: [email protected]
For additional information, please visit:
Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development saskatchewan.ca Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA) simsa.ca Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) saskmining.ca Square One, Saskatchewan’s Business Resource Centre squareonesask.ca
Northern Saskatchewan Business Directory northernbusinessdirectory.ca
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