Hopeful news for Lanigan residents and business owners as Jansen Mine project moves ahead

When Tara Ross moved to Lanigan from Calgary 15-years ago, she says found a place where she wanted to set down roots- and that’s exactly what she did.

Just before the first announcement of the Jansen Potash Mine project more than 10-years ago, she bought her first motel, hoping to see the trickle down effects of a another huge mine going on-line in the area. It never went ahead.

Since then she’s bought a second motel along with a kind of general store on Main Street, and she was shocked when she heard the news that Australian mining giant BHP Group has approved $7.5 billion in capital spending to build the Jansen potash project in Saskatchewan.

“I didn’t doubt that it was going to go ahead all along, I was believing it would. But it’s just wonderful news to have the positive confirmation that yes, it is a go.”

It’s been a tough year and a half for Ross, who said her motels were booked solid before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“It was a struggle for us. Initially when the whole COVID thing hit, that particular weekend we were booked full in both of our locations for a convention happening. And then of course that caused a complete cancellation of all of the rooms.

“And from then on, that whole year, there was no weddings, no funerals. Thankfully we have a good reputation….so we do still have an influx of our loyal workers that stay with us. For sure it was a more difficult year,” she explained.

Now she hopes business for everyone in town, including her two motels and Main Street country store pick up once again. She says she’ll take good news anywhere she can.

“We’ll take all the good news we can. Praise the Lord. When things like this happen, we have to say thank you.. despite all the negative things that happen in the world, we’ll take this good news.”