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The Government of Saskatchewan says a new piece of legislation will provide certainty and stability for resource companies and ensure the province remains a very attractive place for investment by opening up new areas for mining.
The Mineral Resources Amendment Act, 2025 was tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislature on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Energy and Resources, the act allows for designated subsurface development areas to be established, enabling companies “to apply for access to mineral resources that would otherwise remain underground.”
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Under the new legislation, resource companies can apply to the minister of energy and resources for a designated development area in cases where a private mineral rights owner can’t be contacted, or if “reasonable efforts have been exhausted to negotiate an agreement.”
The ministry said it has designed a fair, transparent process to make sure the interests of mineral rights holders are protected while advancing development to benefit everyone in the province.
“Our government is focused on making Saskatchewan a great place for resource companies to explore, invest, build and develop projects for the benefit of all Saskatchewan residents,” Colleen Young, Saskatchewan’s energy and resources minister, said in a statement.
“This bill sets up our world class mining sector for continued growth, ensuring a strong economy and a secure future for our province.”
The new legislation was welcomed by Pam Schwann, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association.
“These changes enable a win for all parties — while responsibly developing Saskatchewan’s mineral resources,” Schwann said in the government statement.
“The ability to openly communicate issues with the Government of Saskatchewan and collaboratively develop solutions is a key reason why Saskatchewan is a globally competitive mining jurisdiction.”
Schwann’s comments were echoed by Trevor Berg, an executive with Nutrien.
“Developed through strong collaboration between industry and government, this legislation provides greater certainty for producers accessing Saskatchewan’s potash resources,” Berg said in a statement.
“By maximizing opportunities for safe and efficient mining, it ensures the province can fully benefit from its world-class mineral assets while delivering lasting value to our communities and economy.”
Lawrence Berthelet, of the Mosaic Company, said the changes will open up more value for resource companies working in Saskatchewan.
“By enabling companies to tap into stranded assets — that will otherwise never be mined – we are able to produce more potash which means creating millions of dollars in more value for Saskatchewan people, the government and enhancing our ability to mine effectively,” Berthelet said in a statement.
“This forward-thinking approach will help secure continued growth for the provincial economy.”
According to the ministry, Saskatchewan has been ranked first in Canada for mining investment by the Fraser Institute, and the province is expected to continue that trend by attracting more than $7 billion in overall mining investments this year.
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