Saskatchewan backs new western critical minerals strategy
By Your Southwest Media Group
The Saskatchewan government is endorsing a new collaborative strategy designed to strengthen western and northern Canada's position as a global supplier of critical minerals.
Developed jointly by the western provinces and northern territories, Stronger Together: A Critical Minerals Strategy for Western and Northern Canada outlines a shared approach to growing the region's critical minerals sector. Saskatchewan played a significant role in developing the strategy, with a focus on improving export infrastructure and strengthening interprovincial transportation corridors.
"As Canada's largest primary producer of critical minerals, Saskatchewan is uniquely positioned to drive the development of secure and dependable supply chains," Energy and Resources Minister Chris Beaudry said. "Working together to improve export infrastructure, including expanding rail and port capacity, will create real advantages for Saskatchewan and strengthen Western Canada's global competitiveness."
The strategy calls for increased investment in infrastructure, more streamlined regulatory approval processes and measures to improve investor confidence, with the goal of moving critical minerals from mine to market more efficiently.
Saskatchewan is the world's largest producer of potash and the world's second-largest producer of uranium. The province is also expanding production of other critical minerals, including helium, copper, zinc and lithium, which are used in advanced manufacturing, defence, clean technologies and other industries.
The province also highlighted its continued growth in mineral development. In 2025, Saskatchewan led Canada in mineral resource development spending with an estimated $6.7 billion in investment, accounting for 25 per cent of the national total. The province also represented more than 16 per cent of Canada's mineral exploration spending, surpassing the target set in its Critical Minerals Strategy of reaching 15 per cent by 2030.
Exploration spending is expected to continue growing in 2026, with investment projected to reach $483 million, a 23 per cent increase over 2025.