Saskatchewan bolsters funding

To encourage mineral exploration, the Saskatchewan government will spend an additional $920,000 this year on its geoscience program.

As a result, the province’s spending on geoscience will approach $3.4 million, or 40% more than in 2000.

The additional funds are designed to encourage exploration for gold, base metals and diamonds, in particular.

“We’ve been successful developing the uranium and the potash industries, but we’ve got a range of other minerals that need to be fostered,” says George Patterson, executive director of exploration and geological services.

The funding increase is one of several recent government initiatives. Others include a 50% decrease in fees for registering mineral claims, and a joint government-industry committee to suggest ways to streamline the regulatory process.

Also, the province is lowering its royalties on uranium, having already done so for gold, base metals and potash, and the March 30 provincial budget was expected to contain tax credits for mineral exploration.