Rocks and Minerals

Lesson 9
Saskatchewans
Ore deposits
Uranium
Base Metals
Gold
Diamonds
Gas
Potash
Oil
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery white metal that
is found in the mineral Uraninite
(often called Pitchblende based on its
black color).
 Deposition environment of Uranium
Canadas uranium deposits are the richest known
deposits in the world.
Uranium in Saskatchewan is located in the northern
part of the province where there is an unconformity
between older Precambrian bedrock and the younger
clastic layers of the Hudsonian Mountain.
Metasedimentary rocks that host the uraninite are
usually brecciated and faulted which allows fluids to
pass through and deposit the uranium.
Uranium deposition
 Potash
Potash is a mineral that is used
mainly for fertilizer and some salts.
It is deposited by the evaporation of
seawater which leaves the minerals
from the water in beds on the
seafloor.
Saskatchewans potash is the leftover
from the seas that covered much of
the province.
Belle Plaine Mine
 Petroleum
Includes oil and gas well in Saskatchewan

Is formed when large quantities of dead

organisms (mostly zooplankton and algae)
are buried underneath sedimentary rock and
subjected to both intense heat and pressure.
This oil and gas then migrates upwards using
the permeability and porosity of the
unconsolidated sediments until it reaches a
cap rock that impedes the upward movement.
Petroleum Reserve crosssection
 Mineral claims
Mineral rights are the rights to own
and develop an ore deposit.
Currently mineral rights are
considered government property
unless they have been purchased by
individuals or companies.
 BUT.

Please read the handout and we will

this topic.
 Treaty Map

All parts of Saskatchewan are covered

By treaty rights