The University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Dec. 6 to establish the creation of a Global Institute for Energy, Mines and Society (GIEMS) in Saskatchewan to further research and innovation initiatives in the mining and energy sectors.  

The agreement was signed by Jeff Keshen, president and vice chancellor of the University of Regina, Peter Stoicheff, president and vice chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan and Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in attendance, at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at COP28, the United Nations climate change conference, which is taking place in Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. 

"Our province is quickly becoming a leader in mining and energy innovation, and this new institution will add to our already impressive portfolio of research organizations,” Moe stated in a Dec. 6 press release from the province.  

Saskatchewan’s mining industry saw mineral sales reach an all-time high of $19.4 billion in 2022, double from 2021. Uranium, potash and salt are among the province’s most valuable and mined commodities.  

The world at its doorstep  

According to the Government of Canada, the mining and energy sector made up 22 per cent of the province’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021. Most recently, the mining, quarrying and oil and gas industries in Saskatchewan were credited for a wage surge in the province in September, according to payroll data released by Statistics Canada.  

The institute is projected to be a hub for the universities involved to collaborate on research and innovation to address global critical minerals demands with student engineers, scientists and tradespeople benefiting from its learnings, according to the press release.  

"Our institutions have a shared commitment to be highly responsive to the needs of the economy, including employers, industries, and growing the workforce—by providing quality post-secondary research, education and training opportunities," Keshen said in the release. 

Each institution separately invests in critical minerals sector research, but GIEMS aims to facilitate collaboration between the post-secondaries and the mining and energy industry more effectively.  

"We look forward to contributing our applied research expertise as we collaborate to unlock the incredible potential for innovation in mining and energy and help train the workforce of tomorrow,” Rosia added.  

The details on the institute’s structure, funding, physical location and timeline on being built have not yet been finalized.