Sector Strengths
Mining & Critical Minerals Innovation
Saskatchewan is a global mining powerhouse, home to the world's largest potash industry and a wealth of critical minerals. With its extensive expertise and abundant natural resources, the province is uniquely positioned to support value chains vital to green and digital economies.
Critical Minerals
Our province is home to 27 of Canada’s 34 critical minerals—vital for economic and strategic interests.
Clean Technology
- Zero-emission vehicles (ZEV)
- Solar panels
- Advanced batteries
- Hydrogen fuel cells
- Small modular reactors (SMRs)
Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
- Defense applications
- Permanent magnets
- High value-added metals
- Electronic materials
Mining & Critical Minerals in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan supplies the world with some of the highest quality minerals that are vital to the global economy.
- World’s largest and most sustainable potash producer (source)
- World’s second largest producer of uranium (source)
- Canada’s largest helium producer (source)
- $12.8 billion in sales revenue for the mining industry in 2023 – the second highest year on record (source)
- 27 of 34 critical minerals are in Saskatchewan (source)
Mining & Critical Minerals Innovation
Saskatchewan is supporting novel solutions that play a significant role in meeting the global need for critical minerals and sustainable mining practices.
World-leading research programs in water, environmental sciences, digital solutions and engineering
Saskatchewan’s Mining & Critical Minerals Leaders
Saskatchewan boasts some of the largest companies in potash, uranium, helium and other critical minerals.
Innovation Saskatchewan + Mining & Critical Minerals
Our objectives for the mining and critical mineral sectors align with the priorities in Saskatchewan’s Critical Mineral Strategy, which focus on:
- Increasing Saskatchewan's share of Canadian mineral exploration spending to 15 percent;
- Growing the production and value of Saskatchewan potash, uranium and helium;
- Doubling the number of critical minerals produced in Saskatchewan;
- Establishing Saskatchewan as a Rare Earth Element Hub and;
- Increasing Indigenous participation in critical mineral development.
We deliver programs that fast-track the commercialization of groundbreaking mining & critical minerals technologies.
Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF)
Provides non-repayable grants of up to $450,000 for the development of novel technological solutions that address specific industry challenges and benefit Saskatchewan’s core sectors like mining.
Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI)
Canada’s most aggressive investment tax credit program that provides Saskatchewan investors with a 45 per cent tax credit when they support eligible Saskatchewan startups.
Innovation & Science Fund (ISF)
Matches federal innovation funding dollars for projects from Saskatchewan’s academic and research institutes to promote research capacity and excellence in the province.
Made in Saskatchewan Technology (MIST) Program
Offers non-repayable grants of up to $30,000 for tech startups to pilot solutions with public sector partners to enhance public services.
We provide funding to organizations that work to establish Saskatchewan as a global mining leader through research & development, education and training.
We support incubators and accelerators that foster the growth of emerging tech companies working to improve the sustainability and safety of our mining and critical minerals sector.
Cultivator
Provides tech founders with the support, resources, funding and space they need to scale their business.
Co.Labs
Supports high-growth tech startups by offering free resources to help them scale from idea to product-market fit, including mentorship, community, and accelerator programs like Co.Launch.
We own and operate the Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology (R+T) Parks in Saskatoon and Regina, which provide key infrastructure as part of a larger mining & critical minerals innovation hub.
Innovation Saskatchewan R+T Park Regina
Hub for mining innovation, providing the space and facilities needed by companies to test, develop and deploy their technologies. The Petroleum Technology Research Centre (PTRC) and its Energy Innovation Hub are offer facilities, research capability and support to reduce the carbon footprint and increase production of subsurface energy in Saskatchewan. Regina is also home to the Canadian head office of The Mosaic Company, one of the top global producers of potash.
Innovation Saskatchewan R+T Park Saskatoon
Home to innovators in the mining sector such as Okane, Ensero and Kinemek. With major companies such as BHP Canada, Cameco, Orano Canada, Nutrien and K+S Potash Canada headquartered in the city, Saskatoon is a focal point for mining expertise and a strategic gateway to the resource-rich northern regions of Saskatchewan.
Provincial Mining & Critical Minerals Supports
Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive (SCMII)
Provides transferable royalty credits for qualified innovation commercialization projects in the critical minerals sector at a rate of 25 per cent of project costs. Open to both pilot projects and commercial–scaling projects.
Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive (CMPII)
Offers transferable royalty/freehold production tax credits for qualified greenfield or brownfield value-added processing projects at a rate of 15 per cent of eligible program costs.
Explore more mineral exploration and mining incentives offered by the Government of Saskatchewan.
Access mining & critical mineral supports from the Government of Canada.
Innovation Saskatchewan R+T Parks
Our parks provide a wide range of specialized facilities that support mining research, cleantech startups and established companies.
Research Facilities
- Level 1 & 2 laboratories
- Locker rooms with shower
- Wet & dry labs
- Cold & warm storage
- Warehouse bays
- Neighbouring U of R and PTRC energy facilities
Lab Essentials
- Pure steam
- 100% fresh air
- Reverse osmosis water
- Additional supply air volumes
- Chilled water
- Hookups & ventilation for fume hoods
- Nitrogen
- Steam scrubbers
- Bio-Kill waste management
- Back-up power
R+T Park Amenities
- Community & networking events
- High-bandwidth network
- Fitness centre
- Bookable meeting rooms
- On-site food services
- Co-working at Collider
- 5G Innovation Labs