Mining a foundation of life in the North: there are two quite distinct geographical realities to mining in Saskatchewan. If the mine or mill is in the southern half of the province there will be ready access to a grid system of roads and highways unmatched in all of Canada. A rail line is not far off and it's probably a short drive to an airport.

In northern Saskatchewan, it's considered good fortune to have only a few lakes, a river and a small forest between the mine site and the nearest dirt road.

It wasn't until the 1930s that even dirt roads began penetrating the Canadian Shield. Air travel helped open the region to exploration and production but even today there are just a few primary arteries into northern Saskatchewan. Wherever there is a highway in the north, says Saskatchewan Mining Association Metallic Minerals Chairman Phil Olson, you'll find evidence of a successful mining operation.

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"A long-term plan regarding how to further develop the transportation infrastructure is something we would like to see," Olson says. "It would have to be done in such a way that it would minimize the impact on the environment, but strategically speaking is not a road network a good thing? The question you have to ask is 'How is the province best served?' and I think the answer is that the province needs to find ways to fully develop its resource potential."

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Mining for gold and other precious metals has lagged in Saskatchewan partly because there has simply not been enough human activity in the northern half of the province. Sometimes ore bodies are found purely by accident, as Olson points out was the case in early mines from Ontario's Sudbury basin to Uranium City, and it often takes a critical mass of people to discover value in mineral deposits.

The government recognizes there are greater possibilities in Saskatchewan's geology and has put in place programs such as the Corporate Exploration Incentive Program to get more people out looking at the ground. Olson applauds those measures for 'keeping a number of smaller companies alive in dark times and depressed markets' and believes there are gains to be made in realigning incentives to where they are needed most.

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"It is far tougher right now for companies in the business of mining gold and precious metals and even base metals to access the resources and investment dollars they need. In addition, at every turn in the mining industry we're seeing a shortage of skilled trades which indicates some of the money might be better directed towards improved and expanded training."

Olson fully expects mining will be a foundation of northern life for generations to come. Now is the time to have meaningful discussions about bringing northerners into mining at all levels of the industry, from production and supply to management and ownership.

"I don't want to impose the values we think everyone would want. It would be appropriate to ask northerners what they want. The duty to consult typically falls within the domain of government but the industry would be short-sighted not to participate in finding out to what extent northerners want to be involved in mining."

The past year indicates there are continuing opportunities to be involved in gold and base metal mining activities. On the gold front Claude Resources remains on par with other junior companies in the sector. Their Seabee mining and milling operation saw production on the low end of their year-to-year average, but they did report good exploration results from nearby prospects that may be able to feed the Seabee mill.

Elsewhere, there has been a revised model for the Box deposit, while smaller deposits in the neighbourhood of the Jolu operation have renewed interest in bringing the Jolu mill back on line. In all, Olson says it has been a good year in terms of coming upon zones that may be mined in the future and would become more viable with an increase in gold prices.

The sale of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting to Ontzinc Corporation made the biggest splash in the metallic minerals sector. Olson notes funding for exploration has improved considerably since the new owners took over in late 2004.

"With the deeper-penetrating exploration techniques now available, the Saskatchewan side of the border becomes quite prospective," Olson says. "There are very subtle signatures and it's taking new eyes and new technology to come up with new discoveries, but it does happen. They're finding out there will always be surprises."

The mining industry works with provincial stakeholders at finding ways to reduce delays that hold up production increases. Olson believes the government's move to add key staff positions will ensure there are enhancements to Saskatchewan's geoscience database.

"We are encouraged that the minister, and the government as a whole, have acknowledged that it is prudent to reinvest money in this sector," Olson concludes.