YORKTON — The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce marked Sask Mining Week Wednesday at its Chamber on Tap evening at Back Forty Brewery with guest speaker Gordon Robinson, Mosaic Esterhazy GM providing a presentation.
Robinson has an extensive background in mining, noting he followed a family tradition into the sector, a decision which has seen him working at several mines around the world before a relatively recent move to Esterhazy.
“Potash mining is a bit of a factory,” he said, adding “. . . it’s all pretty cutting edge” in terms of automation and production. That requires an educated workforce, some he said Mosaic focuses on with ongoing education – part of its effort to retain workers too.
When asked what has surprised him after his arrival Robinson said he has been impressed with the mine’s focus on keeping staff safe.
“I like the emphasis on safety,” he said.
When it came to a question offered up by the Chamber on challenges, Robinson noted tariffs, and the uncertainty around them. He said it comes down “to how you manage what will happen next.”
In that regard Robinson also said mining is a global community, so there are many factors at play when making sales, not just tariffs.
The Government of Saskatchewan had earlier proclaimed June 1 to June 7 as Saskatchewan Mining Week, as an opportunity to recognize the important contributions of the people who work in the industry and the significant impact mining has on the provincial economy.
"Our world-class mining industry is key to the prosperous way of life we enjoy in Saskatchewan, creating good jobs, economic growth and a sustainable, secure future," Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said in a government release. "As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, we are increasing production in core sectors like potash and uranium and seeing growth in emerging commodities like helium, lithium, copper and zinc. This year's Mining Week theme of Talent, Technology and Trade: Opportunities for Saskatchewan's Mining Sector reflects our optimism for the future of mining in our province."
The Saskatchewan mining industry directly or indirectly employs over 30,000 people and procures billions of dollars in goods and services annually from local mining supplier businesses.
Robinson said Mosaic employs 1000-1200 at its Esterhazy mine.
Mosaic also operates a traditional mine at Colonsay, and a solution mine at Belle Plain in the province, he noted.
Mining is a major source of private investment and generates government revenue to fund the programs and services Saskatchewan people rely on, like education and health care.
"In the next decade, Saskatchewan's growing mining industry will need 15,000 new employees in rewarding careers like trades and engineering. To increase the mining labour pool, we are promoting career awareness of prevalent and critical careers and showcasing some of the innovative ways that mining companies and their partners are training and attracting the new generation of talented employees that underpin the success of Saskatchewan's mining sector," Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said in the release.
Robinson said when you realize world population continues to grow, that will mean more food is needed and that means for focus on production of food, which requires fertilizer, and so the expectation is for continued longer term growth for potash. He added the reserves available to be mined at Esterhazy remain significant, ensuring longer term viability.
On a broader scale the Mining Week news release detailed that Saskatchewan is home to 27 of the 34 minerals on Canada's critical minerals list.
In 2024, potash production reached an all-time high of 15.1 million tonnes of potassium oxide, while uranium production and sales reached record highs of 16,700 tonnes and $2.6 billion, respectively. Projects in these and other critical minerals like helium, lithium, copper and zinc continue to advance along with the Saskatchewan Research Council's Rare Earth Processing facility, which has begun producing rare earth metals at a commercial scale.
With an abundance of resources, competitive incentives and a predictable and stable regulatory framework, Saskatchewan is one of the best places in the world to invest in resource development. The Fraser Institute's annual survey of mining companies consistently ranks Saskatchewan as the top jurisdiction in Canada and the top three in the world for mining investment competitiveness, detailed the release.
