Company behind proposed Southey mine needs to meet residents' concerns: economy minister

Saskatchewan’s economy minister says the company proposing to set up a potash mine near Southey should be given a chance.

The Yancoal project has been met with opposition from landowners near the Saskatchewan town, who have now taken their concerns to the Saskatchewan legislature.

Bill Boyd said that the government has seen opposition to past projects and the companies behind those projects have taken the lead in dealing with the concerns of residents.

“I think we’ve seen opposition initially … but the companies have done a pretty good job in terms of that … perhaps Yancoal needs to do a better job in that.”

Boyd added that there has been a free flow of information between Yancoal and the government.

Boyd said that the government would make sure that any company operating in Saskatchewan operates responsibly.

“If a sovereign-funded company that was operating here in Saskatchewan wanted to export potash and wanted export below the world prices, that simply would not be allowed.”

In addressing the environmental concerns about the proposed mine Boyd said, “we are very clear with any company that wants to come to Saskatchewan, that is from outside of our boundaries … the protection of the environment is important to us.”
 
The minister also said the company would be expected to comply with all of Saskatchewan’s rules and regulations regarding workplace safety.

The Minister also touched on the potash market as a whole saying that while the world market was still quite soft, the domestic market as well as the U.S. market is quite strong.