While there is plenty of talk about potash development in the area, what does it mean? That's the question that the Potash Mining Impact Study Informational Meetings intend to answer. The meetings, hosted by the Saskatchewan East Enterprise Region (SEER) will be on January 23 in Moosomin and January 24 in Melville.
The studies, held in collaboration with Derek Murray Consulting and Associates, look at the effects mine development and expansion would have on communities, both positive and negative. The meetings will see the study examined, with areas which communities need to plan to address pointed out and the overall impact being studied.
Marian Kreiser, Special Project Coordinator with SEER, says that the study is something that will help the area plan for any projected growth in the mining sector. She notes that this is something which will affect all businesses in the area, not just those affiliated with mining, as more people come to the area for jobs.
An example of the areas the study looked at was the existing labor force. It concludes that a lack of labor is one of the largest barriers to growth in the area, and a lack of housing for new residents makes attracting labor from outside the area more difficult. With potash expansion predicted to require an increased work force, these areas are going to be an important factor for planning for this expansion, according to the study itself.
For more information on the meetings, people are invited to contact SEER at (306)728-2740.
