Moe looks to mining industry, nuclear power as engines of prosperity

Scott Moe speaks at a mining symposium in Saskatoon on Thursday. (Keenan Sorokan / CTV News)

Premier Scott Moe is confident in Saskatchewan’s economic prospects moving forward, and the natural resources beneath our feet are central to the opportunities ahead.

“We need to all work on protecting what we have, but we need to ensure that we are not allowing any of the opportunities that arise – and there are opportunities in this global uncertain world – that we are capturing each and every one of them,” he said.

Moe was the keynote speaker to begin Thursday’s portion of the Saskatchewan Mining Supply Chain Forum at Prairieland Park. Speaking to hundreds of attendees, Moe spoke about the growing importance of mining as Saskatchewan is being looked upon favourably in an increasingly difficult international trading environment.

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Saskatchewan has remained a relatively affordable place to live, and because of its diverse trade offerings, it offeres private investment a level of reliability, he said.

“We’re committed to do our part to ensure that you see continued success in the future to see Saskatchewan-based companies and Saskatchewan people continue to succeed wherever they live,” Moe said.

The premier then spent a considerable amount of time speaking about SaskPower’s plans to modernize the grid with aggressive moves into the nuclear energy space.

In February, the province announced plans to strengthen and expand the electrical grid over the next decade, in addition to long term plans like achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

SaskPower intends to spend more than $1 billion on infrastructure as part of the Strengthening Saskatchewan’s Grid plan.

This includes linking the north and south grids rather than rerouting southern power through Manitoba to reach the north.

SaskPower is also stretching transmission lines to strategic locations throughout northern Saskatchewan, building out infrastructure in zones where critical minerals are located.

This is especially significant for Denison Mines and NexGen Energy, both of which have cleared federal regulations and are now allowed to proceed with building uranium mines in the Athabasca Basin.

“We need that consistency, and we’re pretty much at capacity in Saskatchewan in terms of our current power generating ability,” Saskatchewan Mining Association President Pam Schwann said.

Without the promise of reliable power, Schwann says companies may delay or abandon projects altogether, given the immense energy demands of operating a mine.

“(If) you don’t have power, that delays when you’re going to be able to start. So, absolutely. Having power is a critical milestone in the progression of your project,” she said.

Moe says it wasn’t long ago in Saskatchewan’s history when farmers would grow more wheat to expand the economy. Now with Saskatchewan being a global leader in uranium, potash, and several other critical natural resources, Moe says the mining industry will be a central driver of economic growth in the province for years to come.

“We can have the confidence that what is coming tomorrow is going to be every bit as good as today – and likely bigger and brighter,” he said.