Increased demand for rare earth materials expected to add more than 100 jobs in Saskatoon
As part of a provincial government push to help Saskatchewan emerge as a leader in processing rare earth materials, it held a summit at the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Rare Earth Summit focused on sites in Saskatoon's north industrial end, where Vital Metals unveiled the first phase of its rare earth processing facility.
“We’re celebrating Saskatchewan and Saskatoon’s launch into providing materials, and the value-added materials for the green economy,” said Vital Metals vice president of strategy and corporate affairs David Connelly
The Australian-based company’s facility is located near the Saskatchewan Research Council's (SRC) $55 million rare earth processing facility. Between the two facilities, 100+ jobs will be created, according to the Saskatchewan Research Council.
“Rare earths are absolutely essential for every motor in every electrical vehicle. Right now the only place that those are mined is the Northwest Territories and they're shipped here, and the only place they are going to be processed is here in Saskatchewan,” said Connelly.
Rare earth metals are used in products like electric cars, wind turbines, phones, high-efficiency air conditioners, high-efficiency elevators and other electric products.
“This is going to be a very important industry for the province of Saskatchewan and for the entire country. Right now about 90 per cent of rare earths are produced in China,” said Minister of Trade and Export development Jeremy Harrison.
SRC’s facility is expected to be partially operational by 2023 and fully operating by 2024 while Vital Metals' will be fully operational by 2023.
Correction
The original story titled David Connelly as president of strategy and corporate affairs. It has been updated to vice-president, which is his correct title.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'