Definition
Raw Material is a term coined from two words “Raw” meaning “in its natural state or form” or unprocessed and “Material” meaning resource or substance.
Raw material as defined by CACERMDI is any unprocessed natural resource or substance modified to produce another resource or substance
In summary, raw material means natural resource.
Types of Raw Materials according to CACERMDI
There are three types of raw materials
- Mineral-based Raw Material
- Agro-allied or Agricultural Raw Material
- Fossil Fuels
A mineral raw material is a solid that is naturally occurring, homogeneous, and has been formed inorganically, having a definite chemical composition (or range of compositions), and an ordered atomic arrangement. Examples are potash, uranium, etc.
Saskatchewan has two of the most desirable minerals in the world – potash and uranium. The province has the largest potash industry in the world, accounting for about one-third of annual global production and hosting nearly half of the world’s known reserves. The world’s largest high-grade uranium deposits are located in northern Saskatchewan and that is the McArthur River Uranium Mine. However, if we talk of largest uranium deposit in the world without high grade, we would have Kazakhstan (in Central Asia) as the country with the largest deposit in the world.
Saskatchewan is the world’s leading supplier of uranium – 90 per cent is exported, with the remaining 10 per cent fuelling nuclear reactors in Canada. The province’s uranium is responsible for powering approximately one in 20 homes in the United States.
There is also significant unrealized potential for volcanogenic and sediment-hosted base metal deposits in supracrustal rocks of the Precambrian Shield of northern Saskatchewan. The Flin Flon mining camp, which straddles the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, has been a substantial base metal producer for decades and is estimated to have the highest contained value of ore per square kilometre in Canada for this type of deposit.
There are areas with high gold potential that remain under-explored. In 2020, following six consecutive years of record-breaking production, the Seabee operation produced 81,686 ounces of gold. Gold exploration activity in Saskatchewan has traditionally focused on the Glennie and La Ronge greenstone belts and areas north and east of Lake Athabasca.
Saskatchewan’s Fort à la Corne area has one of the world’s largest kimberlite fields, with the surface area of some kimberlites exceeding 200 hectares. Star Diamond Corp., in partnership with Rio Tinto, is currently evaluating the Star-Orion South project, which is estimated to contain more than 66 million carats. Recent discoveries in the northeast part of the province have highlighted Saskatchewan’s potential for diamonds elsewhere.
The province also produces salt, kaolin, clays, as well as sodium and potassium sulphates and has strong potential for economic deposits of copper, zinc, nickel and cobalt, as well as rare earth and platinum group elements.
An Agricultural Raw Material refers to crop that is grown as well as animals reared to provide food, wool, and other products. Examples are cotton, raw latex, etc.
Saskatchewan is the world’s largest exporter of peas, lentils, durum wheat, mustard seed, canola, flaxseed and oats. Saskatchewan is recognized worldwide for the quality of its crops, and the province is also the second largest cattle-producing province in Canada.
Fossil fuels are raw materials from decomposing plants and animals. Examples are Coal, crude oil, and natural gas.
Saskatchewan produces coal, crude oil and natural gas
Saskatchewan is the second-largest oil producer in Canada and the sixth largest onshore producer in Canada and the United States.
The province has estimated oil reserves of almost 1.2 billion barrels. Saskatchewan has refining and upgrading capacity, and an extensive network of pipelines.
Saskatchewan is home to a significant portion of the Bakken Formation, one of the largest conventional oil plays in North America.
Saskatchewan is the third-largest natural gas producer in Canada.
Estimated recoverable gas reserves are 1.8 trillion cubic feet.
Opportunities exist in shale gas in central and east-central Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s expertise in clean coal technologies is a good example of how the province is committed to “greening up” its conventional energy resources.
For participants Information about opportunities to service Saskatchewan’s oil and gas industry can be found in the Oil and Gas Supply Chain Requirement Guide.
Raw Materials Conference Focus/Display
We are focused on potash and uranium
We have only potash to present
Potash from six different mines were delivered to CACERMDI on Friday June 2, 2023 by Nutrien (A reputable Canadian fertilizer company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is the largest producer of potash and the third largest producer of nitrogen).
The samples were given at no cost to be exhibited for educational purposes as well as for investors of means to have a visual ofwhat we have in the Province and how they might participate in business of Nutrien. Also, we are displaying raw materials for posterity in the event of not having them again in the Province.
From the bottom of the mine to the top of the silo, Nutrien is continuously committed to feeding the future safely and with integrity each day, leading the agriculture industry in innovation and bold new thinking because the future needs food.
CACERMDI is committed to educating the general public on raw materials and the Centre provides a means to view raw material of any kind in the raw form without having to go to the mine site where these materials are being excavated from the earth. This initiative will help people that have fear of depth to still view these raw materials outside that place of origin, and also prevent them from getting exposed to toxic substances associated with the raw material of interest.
