Saskatchewan’s geology underpins much of the province’s industry, with sprawling potash fields, northern base-metal belts and clay deposits shaping local communities and jobs. Whether you’re skimming maps or planning a site visit, the province offers a clear picture of where resources are concentrated and how they’re produced.
There are 22 Minerals in Saskatchewan, ranging from Bentonite to Zinc. For each mineral, the list is organized by Commodity type,Main locations (Satchewan),Production (t/year) or status — you’ll find below.
Which minerals contribute most to Saskatchewan’s economy?
Potash is the single biggest contributor by volume and economic impact, supported by uranium and several base metals (including nickel and zinc) that are important regionally; some commodities are mainly exploration-stage and others are long-established producers. Use the production or status column in the list to distinguish active operations from projects.
How current and reliable is the production information in the list?
Entries combine government statistics, company reports and industry summaries, so currency can vary by commodity and year; where exact tonnage is uncertain the Production column may show a status instead. For investment or planning purposes, follow the cited sources and recent company filings for the latest figures.
Minerals in Saskatchewan
| Name | Commodity type | Main locations (Satchewan) | Production (t/year) or status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potash | Potash salt | Southern Saskatchewan (Prairie Evaporite Formation) | 22,500,000 |
| Uranium | Metal Ore | Athabasca Basin | 7,000 |
| Gold | Precious Metal | La Ronge Gold Belt, Flin Flon Greenstone Belt | Producing |
| Salt | Salt (Halite) | Southern Saskatchewan (co-located with potash) | Producing |
| Sodium Sulphate | Industrial Mineral | Chaplin, Ingebrigt, Alsask lakes | Producing |
| Silica Sand | Industrial Mineral | Hudson Bay, Wapawekka Hills, various locations | Producing |
| Bentonite | Industrial Mineral (Clay) | Rockglen, Claybank, Wilcox | Producing |
| Kaolin | Industrial Mineral (Clay) | Wood Mountain, Eastend | Producing |
| Sand and Gravel | Construction Aggregate | Widespread glacial deposits | Producing |
| Diamonds | Gemstone, Industrial Mineral | Fort à la Corne kimberlite field | Advanced exploration |
| Rare Earth Elements | Technology Metal | Hoidas Lake, Alces Lake | Advanced exploration |
| Lithium | Technology Metal | Southern Saskatchewan deep saline brines | Exploration |
| Copper | Base Metal | Flin Flon-Snow Lake Greenstone Belt | Historical, some production |
| Zinc | Base Metal | Flin Flon-Snow Lake Greenstone Belt | Historical, some production |
| Nickel | Base Metal | Rottenstone Domain, Athabasca region | Historical, exploration |
| Cobalt | Technology Metal | Athabasca Basin (as a by-product) | Exploration |
| Graphite | Industrial Mineral | Deep Bay, Wollaston Lake area | Exploration |
| Platinum Group Elements | Precious Metal | Rottenstone Domain, Peter Lake Complex | Exploration |
| Garnet | Gemstone, Industrial Mineral | Northern Saskatchewan metamorphic rocks | Inferred |
| Talc | Industrial Mineral | Northern Saskatchewan (various small occurrences) | Inferred |
| Silver | Precious Metal | Flin Flon Belt, Athabasca Basin (by-product) | Historical, some production |
| Potassium Sulphate | Potash salt | Big Quill Lake, various brines | Potential production |
Images and Descriptions
Potash
Saskatchewan is the world’s largest producer of potash, a salt mineral essential for agriculture. Mined deep underground, it provides potassium, a vital nutrient in fertilizers that helps grow food globally.
Uranium
Home to the world’s highest-grade uranium deposits, Saskatchewan is a leading global supplier. This radioactive metal is the primary fuel for nuclear power plants, generating clean electricity worldwide.
Gold
Found in ancient greenstone belts in the north, gold has a long history of exploration and mining in Saskatchewan. It is a valuable precious metal used in jewelry, electronics, and as an investment.
Salt
Vast underground layers of salt, or halite, lie beneath the prairies. It is mined for use in water softeners, road de-icing during harsh winters, and in various chemical and food processing industries.
Sodium Sulphate
Harvested from shallow alkaline lakes, sodium sulphate crystallizes naturally as temperatures drop. It’s a key ingredient in powdered laundry detergents, glass manufacturing, and the pulp and paper industry.
Silica Sand
High-purity quartz sand, known as silica sand, is mined from various deposits. It’s a critical component for making glass, as well as being used in metal casting and for hydraulic fracturing (fracking).
Bentonite
A type of absorbent swelling clay formed from volcanic ash. Saskatchewan bentonite is used as a sealant for ponds and landfills, in drilling mud for the oil industry, and as a clumping agent in cat litter.
Kaolin
A fine, white clay used in a huge range of products. Saskatchewan’s kaolin is used to create glossy paper coatings, as a filler in paints and plastics, and in manufacturing ceramics and porcelain.
Sand and Gravel
Abundant across the province due to glacial activity, sand and gravel are Saskatchewan’s most widely used mineral resource by volume. They are the essential building blocks for concrete, roads, and general construction.
Diamonds
Saskatchewan hosts one of the world’s largest diamond-bearing kimberlite fields. While not yet in full production, these deposits hold significant potential for future gemstone and industrial diamond supply.
Rare Earth Elements
These 17 elements are not actually rare but are vital for modern technology. Found in northern deposits, they are used in high-strength magnets, smartphones, electric motors, and wind turbines.
Lithium
Found dissolved in deep underground brines, lithium is a lightweight metal at the heart of the green energy transition. It is the key component in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and electronics.
Copper
Primarily found near the Manitoba border, copper has been a historically important metal for the province. It is essential for electrical wiring, plumbing, and industrial machinery due to its high conductivity.
Zinc
Often mined alongside copper and lead, zinc is a crucial base metal. Its primary use is for galvanizing steel to protect it from rust, and it is also used in alloys, batteries, and dietary supplements.
Nickel
Occurring in northern Saskatchewan, nickel is a key component in stainless steel, making it strong and corrosion-resistant. It is also increasingly important for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles.
Cobalt
Often found with nickel and uranium deposits, cobalt is a strategic metal. It is essential for making high-performance alloys and is a critical component in the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries.
Graphite
A crystalline form of carbon, graphite deposits are being explored in northern Saskatchewan. It is an excellent conductor and lubricant, with growing demand for its use as the anode in lithium-ion batteries.
Platinum Group Elements
This group, including platinum and palladium, is found in northern mineral deposits. These rare and valuable metals are primarily used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions and also in jewelry.
Garnet
These hard, semi-precious gemstones are found in metamorphic rocks in the north. While some can be used in jewelry, their primary industrial use is as an abrasive for sandblasting and water-jet cutting.
Talc
The softest known mineral, talc is found in small deposits in the province’s north. It is ground into a soft powder for use in cosmetics, plastics, ceramics, and as a filler in paper and paint.
Silver
Silver is typically not mined on its own but is recovered as a valuable by-product from gold, copper, and uranium mining operations. It is used in electronics, solar panels, jewelry, and silverware.
Potassium Sulphate
Also known as sulphate of potash, this premium fertilizer is ideal for crops sensitive to chloride. It can be produced from saline lake brines and offers a high-value alternative to standard potash.
