Saskatchewan is the best place in Canada and the second best place in the world for mining investment, according to the Fraser Institute’s annual Survey of Mining Companies. The survey rates over 120 places around the world based on their geologic attractiveness and government policies when it comes to exploration and investment. Saskatchewan beat out all other provinces in Canada and came second to only Finland worldwide.

“(I’m) not surprised,” Saskatchewan Mining Association’s past president Trevor Berg says, “as Saskatchewan is a world-leading producer of potash and uranium with existing mines being expanded and new mines being discovered.”

He says Saskatchewan is one of the country’s top mineral-producing jurisdictions. In 2014, the province’s mineral production was valued at $7.3 billion (preliminary estimate). In a province that leads the world in potash production and is second in uranium production, it’s no wonder the industry is booming with jobs. Berg attributes that to a number of major projects and developments underway in the province. Mosaic Potash’s Esterhazy project is scheduled for completion in 2017 and will provide capacity growth for the company’s Esterhazy operations, and K+S Potash Canada is expecting to fill close to 150 positions this year for its Legacy Project.

“Projects like these, and the many others underway in the province, will provide great employment opportunities, helping maintain the industry’s impressive employment record,” Berg says.

There are over 120 different careers in the mining industry. Right now, workers are needed in the trades and technology areas. These types of jobs include miners, heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, industrial and heavy equipment mechanics as well as mining, electrical and mechanical engineers. According to Statistics Canada, those in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction fields made an average of $ $1,990.50 per week in January of 2015 (seasonally adjusted).

Berg says the mining industry has provided him with great career opportunities that have allowed him and his family to stay in Saskatchewan. He says as the industry continues to grow, there is great potential for career opportunities with world-class mining companies right here in Saskatchewan.

“With existing world-class deposits of potash and uranium and the world’s first commercial-scale carbon capture, coal-fired generating station, Saskatchewan mining has a strong future in providing food and energy security for the world and our province.”

All commodities have cycles in volume and sales, and that can create challenges. But Saskatchewan mines a diverse number of materials including coal, gold, salt, clay, potash, uranium and more. That diversity, matched with an attractive business climate, is what helps keep Saskatchewan’s mining sector strong. To learn more about mining in Saskatchewan visit www.saskmining.ca.