SASKATOON—The Saskatchewan Research Council sees the significance of its collaboration with Indigenous communities in bringing forward the province’s rare earth mining industry behind projects that would benefit everyone. SRC anticipates that the demand for critical rare earth minerals, lithium, and uranium will grow, providing economic gains for the province.
Saskatchewan has been capitalizing on having one of the richest deposits of minerals in the world used by the tech industry in making mobile phones, electronics, electric vehicles, and materials needed to help push for renewable energy. That is why SRC ensures Indigenous communities also benefit from their plans and future projects.
SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree said they are committed to strengthening their partnership with Indigenous communities, making them part of the economic gains and the growing critical minerals industry.
“We believe that Indigenous participation and ownership are essential to the future of projects like rare earth processing and micro-reactors. Increasingly, those partnerships are critical to Saskatchewan, particularly for SRC," said Crabtree.
“We actively reach out to those Indigenous partnerships, and we have some key partnerships now in things like rare earths and lithium, and increasingly in the nuclear [sector]. We’re not just working for these communities; we’re working with them.”
Crabtree added that SRC’s partnership with Indigenous groups extends beyond mining industries, rare earth processing, lithium extraction, and nuclear energy. As these sectors rapidly expand, cooperation between both parties has been forged to ensure Indigenous communities are consulted and actively involved in these projects' decision-making processes.
SRC works to ensure that the projects reflect the values and needs of the Indigenous communities and that their perspectives are part of these projects' environmental planning, operational decision-making, and long-term sustainability strategies.
“What we’re seeing here is more than just a transactional relationship. This is about mutual respect, shared understanding, and creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in the economic and technological benefits that these projects bring,” said Crabtree.
He added that partnering with Indigenous groups, particularly in the mining and nuclear sectors, would be central to the province’s success, reflecting SRC’s internal culture and collaborative spirit.
Recent data showed that SRC contributed over $15.5 billion in combined economic and employment impact in Saskatchewan since it began assessing in 2003, including $887 million in the latest fiscal year. SRC’s economic impact statement on the provincial economy from FY 2023-2024 was $785M, and employment impact of $102M through creating or maintaining over 1,600 jobs.
Crabtree added that developing the first-of-its-kind rare earth processing facility would be a multi-million-dollar business opportunity for the province, including lithium processing that would increase the value of our resources to the people of Saskatchewan.
“What SRC does very effectively is that we need to see it through when we engage with a project. We need to make sure that we can deliver what we say we will be able to provide. We're doing that very effectively in those three primary project areas I mentioned. But it’s not just about raw resources,” said Crabtree.
Crabtree also points to the expanding scope of SRC’s work, especially in environmental remediation, technology development, and industrial innovation, making them grow substantially over the last few years, tripling its workforce to more than 450 employees, many of whom are scientists, engineers, and technicians.
SRC is also spearheading ambitious projects in nuclear energy, rare earth processing, and lithium extraction, with plans for new facilities expected to create significant economic growth. One such project is the planned introduction of a micro-nuclear reactor, an exciting development that could position Saskatchewan at the forefront of clean energy.
"We’re not just extracting minerals; we’re innovating, adding value, and creating jobs that benefit Saskatchewan and North America. These projects are not just about today; they’re about ensuring that Saskatchewan remains a key player in the future of North American energy and industry," Crabtree said.
Crabtree said the province is positioned to meet the world’s growing demands of the world with its critical minerals, energy resources, and agricultural products, emphasizing the goal is not merely to extract resources but to add value, create jobs, and foster long-term economic growth that supports both Indigenous peoples and the broader Saskatchewan economy.
"We’re building something bigger than any one administration. The future of Saskatchewan’s resources is the future of North America’s energy and industrial sectors, and we’re ready to meet that future head-on,” said Crabtree.
“This project will contribute to the future of clean energy in North America and open up new opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in and benefit from the burgeoning nuclear energy sector. It’s about ensuring that these communities are positioned for success in the industries of tomorrow.”
