Mining woven into fabric of province.

In the last five years the mining industry has gone from having about three million hectares of land under disposition to more than 13 million hectares. In that same time we've seen tremendous growth in exploration expenditures, up from about $28 million five years ago to a projected $278 million in 2007. Additionally, in the past two years, Saskatchewan's potash industry alone has announced over $1 Billion in investments to expand existing potash mine facilities to increase potash production capabilities to meet global demands.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

I think it's important to lead off with those numbers so people can gain an understanding of the real growth we are currently experiencing. At the front end, the elevated level of exploration expenditures will ultimately lead to the development of new mines. This, combined with the expansion of existing mines will result in a significant increase in the number of high-paying jobs provided not only in our cities but also in rural and northern Saskatchewan.

We have become very much a mining- and oil and gas-based economy. One of the things that is very exciting--and one of the reasons I was attracted to working with the Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) after working with government on the mineral sector for fifteen years--is the phenomenal future growth expected in virtually every mineral sector in the province

My initial work with government was with Saskatchewan Energy and Mines as a resident geologist based in La Ronge, followed by the opportunity to work with northern communities and the uranium industry. More recently, my work with government in Regina expanded my experiences with other important mineral sectors in Saskatchewan, such as the potash, coal and industrial mineral industries, and provided the opportunity to interact with other provincial and federal departments involved in the mineral sector.

The Saskatchewan mining industry has a presence across the fabric of Saskatchewan, from north to south and east to west. It is a leading contributor to the provincial economy, through taxation and royalties, but also by being a creator or wealth through employment, business and investment opportunities for Saskatchewan residents.

Saskatchewan is also a mining powerhouse at the national and international level. Very few jurisdictions can claim to be the world's leading producer in one commodity. Saskatchewan is the world's leading producer in two--potash and uranium.

We are fortunate to have excellent people managing and developing this rich mineral resource, and a government that is responsive to creating a supportive environment for growth of the sector. The philosophy of companies operating in Saskatchewan is that they want to become and remain global leaders. What I see in the top leadership is a desire for sustainable growth of a safe and prosperous industry.

Coming from a government department that had a very good working relationship with industry, I think keeping the doors of communication open is key to meeting the needs of everyone. Bodies such as the Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration Government Advisory Group are in place to encourage cooperation and to provide a forum where regulations and policies can be put in place to support sustainable exploration activity.

As SMA Executive Director, I have the opportunity to look at the industry over the broad scale. Mining crosses a number of spectrums from safety to environment to human resources, and I have seen how the companies work collaboratively on the key, critical issues. They remain private companies and retain their own competitive advantages, yet they have the mechanisms in place to work closely together and share information for the benefit of everyone.

Mining Week this year runs from May 27 to June 2 and will once again be a big event for us. Keeping in mind the labour shortages affecting our and other industries, this year's theme is: 'Exploring, Discovering and Developing our Workforce" The launch of Mining Week will be on May 28 at Cochrane High School in Regina, an impressive vocational school that has a strong record of getting students into Trades training programs.

Also scheduled for Mining Week are a number of presentations on potash, uranium and diamonds by our member companies. These will occur in Regina, Saskatoon and La Ronge, in collaboration with organizations including the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan the Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers Association, the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, the North Saskatoon Business Association and the La Ronge Chamber of Commerce. I am confident the mining sector will become an increasingly prominent pillar of Saskatchewan's economy. It is a very productive industry and I am looking forward to representing the member companies of the SMA.

PAM SCHWANN, SMA EXECTIVE DIRECTOR

RELATED ARTICLE: Mining FACTS

* In the last five years the mining industry has gone from having about three million hectares of land under disposition to more than 13 million hectares.

* In the past two years, Saskatchewan's potash industry alone has announced over $1 Billion in investments to expand existing potash mine facilities to increase potash production capabilities to meet global demands.