It's a key element in batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, used in everything from glass and ceramics to pharmaceuticals. And according to one company, a massive deposit of this critical mineral, lithium, sits right here in southeast Saskatchewan.
EMP Metals believes its land holdings contain the highest lithium concentrations in Canada. Paul Shubach, Chief Operating Officer of EMP Metals, explained that this discovery, combined with the region’s existing expertise, makes the Weyburn area uniquely positioned to pioneer a new industry. He credits their project partners for identifying the opportunity, which led to drilling wells that are now believed to be the “three top concentration wells in the nation.”
The initial work was done by Rock Resources, EMP's partner on the project. With more than 30 years of experience, Rock Resources identified what they believed was a good concentration of lithium. Exploration wells confirmed the resource, and further development is now possible thanks to another key local advantage, the oil and gas sector.
“When you look at the existing oil and gas industry that is in the southern part of the province, it just adds a major benefit in terms of developing a project and having the local skilled workforce and talent in the area,” Shubach said.
Lithium brine extraction is very similar to existing oil and gas operations, as it involves moving large amounts of water and drilling deep wells. The skilled workforce, subcontractors, and existing infrastructure from the oil sector are all major benefits for developing lithium projects in the southeast, particularly in the Weyburn area.
“It’s an easy transition to have people that are already working in that field transition to a lithium brine development,” Shubach stated.
That local expertise is paired with a provincial government framework that Shubach calls critical for attracting investors. He points to Saskatchewan's stable regulatory environment, efficient permitting process, and clear royalty framework as key advantages.
“It’s a very important piece that people are looking at, and view Saskatchewan as very strong,” Shubach emphasized.
For the southeast, the growth of the lithium industry represents a significant opportunity for economic diversification, especially as global economies shift towards clean energy. It offers a new path for a workforce already skilled in resource extraction.
“I think it provides some optionality for people to look at some alternatives and utilize their existing skill set and skill base that they may have already developed,” Shubach noted.
This isn’t just a small project. The EMP Metals site, located roughly 40 kilometres northeast of Weyburn, could be the beginning of something big. Shubach stressed the company is committed to responsible and sustainable development as they pioneer what he calls a new industry for the entire country.
“What we’re trying to do is essentially pioneering a new industry for all of Canada,” Shubach said. “With it being directly in the southern part of the province, there’s tremendous benefit and opportunity that could come.”
The direct economic injection into the region could be immense.
“The development of these projects... we’re talking hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, and then as well as the ongoing maintenance and operations that some of these facilities could bring,” the COO detailed. There would also be the spinoff economic benefits that come from large projects, as employees move to the region and then spend their money in the communities.
“I think how we’re approaching it, really, with how the development will look is really a responsible, sustainable and economical development that I think would be a tremendous opportunity for the southern part of the province,” Shubach concluded.