Leader and Keynote Speakers
Leaders Speaking
A Fireside Conversation on Uranium Production in Saskatchewan, Past-Present-Future
Leaders Speaking
A Fireside Conversation on Potash Production in Saskatchewan, Past-Present-Future
Leaders Speaking
A Fireside Conversation on Uranium Project Development in Saskatchewan, Past-Present-Future
Minister of Energy and Resources
Honourable Colleen Young, Government of Saskatchewan
Biography
Colleen was first elected MLA for Lloydminster in a November 2014 by-election. She was re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2024 in the provincial general elections. In the spring of 2024, she was sworn into cabinet as the Minister of Advanced Education; in the fall 2024 cabinet shuffle, she was appointed Minister of Energy and Resources.
In addition to serving as the Minister of Energy and Resources, Colleen serves on the Cabinet Committee on the Economy, the Cabinet Committee on Government Operations, the Cabinet Committee on Investment Attraction, and the Cabinet Committee for Irrigation. She is the provincial representative on the steering committee for the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Association.
Supporting, helping, and finding answers to constituents’ concerns, issues and challenges has always been a priority and the most rewarding part of her role as an MLA. Staying involved and engaged in her community, and advocating on behalf of her constituents is very important to Colleen.
Colleen was born and raised on a family farm east of Saskatoon and has called Lloydminster home for the past 39 years. Colleen attended the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan beginning in 1979 and has been active in education ever since. Colleen was a trustee on the Lloydminster Public School Board of Education for 20 years and served as board chair for 16 of those years. Colleen is very active in the Lloydminster community, attending and trying to stay abreast of all events throughout her constituency. She has been involved with the Kiwanis Club, the Lloydminster Learning Council, the Prairie North Regional Health Board, and the Lloydminster Early Intervention Program. Colleen started and operated the Lloydminster in Motion After School Program, School Community Councils, Young Life, the Lloydminster Community Youth Center, the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care, and she helped with numerous other fundraising and volunteer opportunities in the community. Colleen has always put kids, families, seniors, and newcomers to the community first.
Panel Discussion
Collaboration for the Energy Transition: The Role of the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals, and Society (GIEMS)
The Global Institute for Energy, Minerals, and Society (GIEMS) was established in 2025 as an equal partnership between the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. As a non-profit research and development institute, GIEMS is mandated to act as a catalyst for expanding the capacity and impact of research, innovation, and training programs that advance the energy transition in Saskatchewan and beyond.
This panel discussion will explore how GIEMS can foster collaboration across academia, government and industry to address the opportunities and challenges presented by uranium, potash, and lithium development. Panelists representing partner institutions will share perspectives on supporting sustainable growth in Saskatchewan’s energy and minerals sector. By convening expertise across disciplines and institutions, GIEMS aims to create a platform where innovation can be accelerated, effectiveness of resource utilization can be increased, and Indigenous economic reconciliation can be advanced such that the province can position itself as a global leader in the energy transition.
Tom Kishchuk
Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society Inc. (GIEMS)
Greg Poelzer
University of Saskatchewan
Graeme Drysdale
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Joyce McBeth
University of Regina
Biman Bharadwaj
P.Eng, Principal Metallurgist, Technical Services – Strategic Projects
Cameco Corporation
Uranium Keynote Presentation
Now Hiring! Uranium – A Comeback Story in Mining, Milling, and Innovation
After a decade-long downturn following the Fukushima disaster, uranium is re-emerging as a critical player in the global energy transition. This presentation explores the current “”state of play”” in uranium mining and milling, creatively framed through the lens of Uranium as a job applicant re-entering the workforce. Using a mock job posting and resume, we trace uranium’s career highs, setbacks, and its compelling comeback—driven by rising demand for secure clean baseload power, geopolitical shifts, and the growing momentum behind Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Beyond market dynamics, the talk highlights innovations in uranium mining and processing—from safety and environmental improvements to increased automation, advanced process control and novel applications of ISR and tailings management. It also explores how AI and machine learning are transforming the sector through predictive maintenance, ore grade modeling, jet bore mining, and autonomous operations. Whether you’re a geoscientist, metallurgist, investor, or policymaker, this session delivers a fresh, data-driven perspective on uranium’s dynamic role in advancing secure, low-carbon energy solutions.
Biography
Coming soon
Potash Keynote Presentation
A Historical Perspective of Growing Potash Production in Saskatchewan
Biography
Paul Labbe has over 50 years of experience in the mining industry, starting his career in 1973 in nickel and base metals. An active CIM member since 1981, Paul has twice served as a branch leader, co-chaired two MeMO conferences, and helped organize several major industry events, including the upcoming Calgary MeMO. He’s also contributed extensively to the MER Society, MPC, and MES, serving as a speaker and session chair at numerous national conferences.
Educated at the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Paul began his career as a driller-blaster, later working as a research engineer with PotashCorp (now Nutrien). There, he earned patents, published research, and received the MNAC Award for innovation in mining automation and energy reduction.
His leadership roles have included pioneering machine-cut mining at Domtar, supporting roadheader deployment at Sifto, and establishing Wardrop Engineering in Saskatchewan. Internationally, he held key roles in gold mining projects in the Himalayas and Kazakhstan, later serving as vice president in several major organizations including Vecima, the Regina Refinery, SRC, and WorleyParsons.
After four decades in global EPCM, Paul returned to academia in 2018 to teach and lead research at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Since 2021, he has also served as the Regional Director for MICA, supporting innovation across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the NWT.
Lithium Keynote Presentation
Lithium’s Journey: From Innovation to Global Dominance – Technical, Economic, and Canadian Involvement
Lithium-ion batteries have progressed from laboratory innovation to the dominant energy storage technology for portable electronics, power tools, electric vehicles, and large-scale energy systems. This keynote will trace that evolution, beginning with the Nobel Prize winning contributions of John Goodenough, Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino, and Canada’s early involvement through Moli Energy.
We will follow lithium-ion’s progression from LiCoO₂ powered notebook computers to LiMn₂O₄ based power tools, the emergence of electric vehicles, and the rapid shift to advanced chemistries such as NMC, NCA, and LFP. Today, electric vehicles account for the overwhelming share of lithium-ion battery demand, with energy storage systems and uncorded applications such as power tools and portable electronics remaining important contributors.
The second half will review the lithium supply chain, covering traditional processing of Australian hard rock spodumene and South American brines, along with emerging North American resources such as clays, geothermal brines, oilfield brines, pegmatites, and recycled batteries. It will also summarize new extraction and refining methods, including direct lithium extraction (DLE) and electrodialysis/salt splitting.
Biography
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