Provincial Resources

Agriculture

• Saskatchewan has 44 percent of Canada’s total cultivated land and Saskatchewan is the country’s largest grain producer
• There are 44,329 farms in the province
• The province produces a wide variety of cereal crops, oilseeds, pulse crops, specialty crops, livestock, forage, vegetables and value added agri-products
• In 2006, Saskatchewan farm cash receipts were over $6.6 billion.

Forestry

• More than half of Saskatchewan is forested - about 355,000 square kilometres
• 121,000 square kilometres of forest are under major commercial development
• The commercial timber area is about 375 kilometres wide
• Softwoods include:
  • balsam fir
  • jack pine
  • tamarack
  • black spruce
  • white spruce
• Hardwoods include:
  • white birch
  • balsam poplar
  • trembling aspen
• Total sale are about $750 million annually
• There are over 300 forestry industry firms in Saskatchewan

Mining

• Total Saskatchewan mineral sales in 2006 were $3.2 billion
• Saskatchewan’s Mining Industry has the highest percentage (21.3%) of workers under 24 over any province
• Saskatchewan is considered to be a world leader in mining robotics (including the only company in North America making robotic equipment for the copper smelting and refining industry)
• Potash sales are currently $2.2 billion annually
• Saskatchewan produces 35% of world potash production and accounts for 45% of the world trade.
• Saskatchewan is the largest producer and exporter of uranium in the world
• Saskatchewan uranium production consists of 100% of Canada’s and 30% of the world’s production
• 2006 uranium sales were $697 million
• Saskatchewan is the third largest coal producer in Canada
• Home to the largest diamondiferous kimberlite field in the world
• Saskatchewan has deposits or promising showings of metals, minerals, metal by-products, including:
  • copper
  • gold
  • cadmium
  • platinum
  • selenium
  • zinc
  • lead
  • nickel
  • silver
  • diamonds

Energy

• Petroleum
  • Saskatchewan in the second largest crude oil producer in Canada
  • The oil and gas industry directly or indirectly employs about 27,000 people
  • Saskatchewan’s heavy oil upgraders have increased refinery activity and boosted markets for heavy oil
  • More than 25,000 active oil wells produce in excess of 428,000 barrels of oil per day – with reserves of 1.2 billion barrels
  • In 2006, a record 156.3 million barrels of oil were produced; a value of approximately $7.8 billion in sales
• Natural Gas
  • Distributed in Saskatchewan by SaskEnergy, a provincial Crown corporation has over 64,000 kilometres (39,700) miles of the distribution lines
  • Supplies natural gas to about 336,000 customers annually
  • Over 19,000 gas wells were drilled in 2006 with recoverable reservers of 2.8 trillion cubic feet
  • Saskatchewan is the third highest natural gas producing province
  • In 2006, a record of 340.1 billion cubic feet of gas was produced; a value of approximately $1.7 billion
• Electrical Power
  • Produced and distributed by the Provincial Crown Corporation, Saskatchewan Power Corporation(SaskPower)
  • SaskPower manages 155,000 kilometres of line and serves 3 customers per circuit kilometre
  • Saskatchewan is essentially self-sufficient in power, but does use grid ties to more power in and out of the province as needed

Moose Jaw REDA Resources

Mineral Resources

• Potash - used in the production of fertilizer as well as commercial and industrial products ranging from soap to television tubes. Mosaic Company owns and operates a potash mine near Belle Plaine. Mosaic Company is among the world’s largest producers of potash. Products are marketed worldwide crop nutrient manufacturers, distributors and retailers are also used in the manufacturing of mixed crop nutrients and animal feed ingredients. Mosaic Company also sells white potash to customers for industrial use.
• Sodium Sulphate - used in detergents, glass, dyes, textiles, and tanning and in the agriculture chemicals industry. Saskatchewan Minerals produces sodium sulphate in Chaplin.
• Salt - The Canadian Salt Co. Ltd produces products near Belle Plaine. The facility has been in operation since 1949, and employs 50 people.
• Kaolin - used in paper coating, refractory materials,porcelain, and other ceramics such as whiteware, filler for rubber, plastics, nylon, adhesives and sealants as well as filler and pacified paints.
• Swelling Betonites - used in the production of well drilling mud, foundry mouldings and pellets, herbicide production, latex paint production and sewage lagoon liners.
• Ceramic and refractory clays - used in the production of bricks, chimney flu linings, sewer pipes, stoneware and earthenware pottery.

Chemical Development

• Fertilizer - Saskferco Products Inc., located on the Canadian prairie in Saskatchewan, is North America’s largest producer of granular urea and anhydrous ammonia. Although this facility is relatively new Saskferco has been established as one of the top producers in the world. Due to the demands for product, Saskferco has recently upgraded their urea plant.

Water Resources

• Ground water supplies provide a valuable resource for domestic and municipal use. While the ground water is highly mineralized, it is acceptable for use without treatment other than chlorinization.
• Groundwater is not recommended for use as an irrigation water source.

Census Division 7 in Saskatchewan contains Moose Jaw, the majority of the communities in the Moose Jaw REDA plus some communities north and west of the Moose Jaw REDA - which provides a fair reference base for the Moose Jaw Agricultural Trade Area.

Crop Districts 3AN & 2B in Saskatchewan contains Moose Jaw, the majority of the communities in the Moose Jaw REDA plus some communities east and west of the Moose Jaw REDA - which provides a fair reference base for the Moose Jaw Agricultural Trade Area.