Click HERE for an expanded version of this information
Today's Saskatchewan
-
Supplies 1/3 of the world's potash
- Supplies 1/3 of the world's uranium
- 2nd largest oil producing province
- 3rd largest natural gas producing province
- 3rd largest coal producing province
- Significant oil sands potential
- World's largest diamond exploration project
- Significant metal and precious metal finds (zinc, copper, gold)
- Largest rare earth minerals find in North America
- Significant Helium potential
Today, the mining and petroleum industries are the largest contributor to the Saskatchewan GDP!
Source: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
49 North Resource Fund Inc. creates a unique investment opportunity with substantial growth potential by combining:
- A diversified portfolio focused on mining exploration companies and to a lesser extent oil & gas
- A focus on building shareholder value by being actively involved in fund investments from early stage exploration through to potential production
"The dominant economic fact of this century will be the rise of China...Saskatchewan has just about everything that China craves - agriculture, oil and gas, uranium and other minerals."
Ken Courtis, Vice-Chair Goldman Sachs
More than just agriculture!
Potash
"Saskatchewan is the Saudi Arabia of potash for the world."
Steve Halabura, President of North Rim Exploration
- Saskatchewan supplies 1/3 of the world's potash
- Demand is expected to grow on average by more than 2 million tonnes annually
- Growing global population demanding more food
- Depletion of soil fertility requires added nutrients
- Bio-fuel production is rapidly increasing demand for potash
Sources: PCS 07 Annual Report, Saskatchewan Industry & Resources
"Over the next several years, world potash demand is expected to grow on average by more than 2 million tonnes annually."
"India, China and Brazil have under-applied all nutrients - particularly potash - and their farms are far less productive than those in North America. Recognizing this deficiency, these farmers are beginning to move closer to scientifically recommended application rates to maximize production."
PCS 07 Annual Report
Uranium
- Increasing demand for electricity
- Global energy shortages - rising energy prices
- Demand for greenhouse gas reduction
- Saskatchewan's uranium deposits are the richest in the world
- Lower cost mining combined with high grade uranium equal a significant global competitive advantage
Sources: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
"Saskatchewan doesn't realize how important it is in the world...About half of the Paris lights are on thanks to Saskatchewan uranium."
Tim Gitzel, Senior VP and COO of Cameco Corporation
Oil & Gas
- World instability and supply shortages have increased prices
- Increases in global consumption
- Refinery shortage
- Underinvestment in the energy sector
Sources: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
Current Facts on Oil and Gas:
- In Canada, Saskatchewan's oil production is second only to Alberta
- The province produces approximately 20% of total Canadian oil
- Approximately 60% of Saskatchewan's production is currently exported to the US
- Changes in Alberta royalty structure are causing investors to look to Saskatchewan
Coal
- 39% of the world's electricity is generated from coal
- Coal is used for electricity generation, steel and cement manufacturing, and industrial process heating
- Coal provides over 23% of global primary energy needs
- Coal is the most abundantly and widely distributed fossil fuel
- Recent significant discoveries of Bituminous coal in Eastern Saskatchewan
Source: Coal Association of Canada
Diamonds
- Canada is now the third largest diamond producer in the world
- Unethical mining practices throughout the world are increasing the demand for Canadian diamonds
- Global economic prosperity and changing demographics are driving demand
"As the major diamond mines begin production, Saskatchewan could gain a sizeable 1%lift to its economy in each of 2009 and 2011...over the next 25 years royalties could average $130 million annually for about a decade.''
Derek Holt, Assistant Chief Economist
RBC Financial Group
Sources: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
Gold
- Global economic uncertainty combined with a booming electronics industry have increased the price of gold
- Production is down and demand is up
- Significant new discoveries and mines being developed throughout Saskatchewan
- Continuing to rally with yellow metals seen as a safe alternative in volatile markets
Sources: Saskatchewan Industry and Resource
Base Metals
- Global development is increasing the price of Zinc, Copper, and Nickel
- Some uses include: galvanizing metal, basic wiring, and producing stainless steel
Primary Uses
- Zinc- Galvanizing Metal (Rust resistance)
- Copper- Basic Wiring for all electrical circuits
- Nickel- Stainless Steel
Sources: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources
"...With the current growth rate in demand for copper running at over 400,000 tons annually, even assuming all capacity is brought on line, within three to four years available supply will not be able tomeet world demand. Why the looming imbalance? As is so often the case these days, look to china and India, where the rush to build the infrastructure necessary to sustain economic growth is soaking up commodities on a global scale. It is a very good time to start paying attention to copper..."
Doug Casey, Chairman of Casey Research
Helium
- Extreme physical and chemical properties give it unique advantages in a number of industrial applications
- Helium is ideal for a wide variety of industrial, commercial and research applications
- Demand expected to continue rising
- World-class discovery in Southern Saskatchewan
Sources: Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
