SRC’s 77th year in operation as a research and technology organization saw a great many achievements that are worthy of a second look. From our production of rare earth metals to our microreactor research, from our lithium processing upgrades to our sensor-based ore sorting services and even our first ever Tech Expo event, join us as we revisit just a few of 2024’s major announcements and achievements at SRC!
SRC's Economic Impact Assessment
First on our list of 2024 highlights has to be SRC’s continued contributions to Saskatchewan’s economy. In fact, SRC’s 2023-2024 economic impact assessment shows it made a combined economic and employment impact of $887 million.
In 2023-2024, SRC had a mandate effectiveness of 38, meaning that for every dollar the province invested in SRC, SRC’s work contributed at least a 38-times return to the growth of the Saskatchewan economy. In announcing these economic impact numbers, SRC President and CEO Mike Crabtree noted that it “truly demonstrates the value (SRC) can generate from the province’s investment in us.”
You can find our full economic impact assessment news release here.
Rare Earth Processing Facility Milestones
We marked an important milestone for SRC’s Rare Earth Processing Facility in 2024. Supported by $71 million in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan and $30 million in combined funding from the Government of Canada, the Facility produced rare earth metals at a commercial scale in summer 2024 – making Saskatchewan the first and only jurisdiction to do so in North America.
Once fully operational later this year, SRC’s Rare Earth Processing Facility will produce approximately 400 tonnes of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) metals per year, enough to power 500,000 electric vehicles.
You can read more about SRC’s innovative advancements in metal smelting technology in our blog post, Stirring Things Up: SRC Advances Metal Smelting Technology.
Microreactor Development
SRC is leading the licensing and demonstration of the first microreactor in Saskatchewan – and this past year was all about continued planning, strategy and collaboration.
SRC was announced as the primary organization responsible for microreactor development and the sole organization authorized to hold the regulatory licenses/be the licensed operator of microreactors in the province.
SRC also joined the CANDU Owners Group (COG) as members and welcomed Canadian nuclear industry veteran Eddie Saab to the Board of Directors of SRC Nuclear Inc. Last year also saw SRC sign MOUs with the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. as part of this project.
To learn more about SRC’s work to advance safe, clean and reliable nuclear power in Saskatchewan, watch our recent webinar.
Hydrogen Hub Study
SRC was proud to co-author a report released in 2024 highlighting the potential of the Regina-Moose Jaw Industrial Corridor (RMJIC) for a hydrogen hub. The report outlines a pathway for developing a hydrogen supply chain in Saskatchewan and presents strategic next steps to help address challenges.
This research was supported by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Energy and Resources, Federated Co-operatives Limited and Whitecap Resources.
Read all about how Saskatchewan is poised to be a leader in Canada’s energy transition in our blog post, Building a Hydrogen Hub on the Prairies.
Award-Winning Results
We also took time last year to celebrate a few of SRC’s contributions to award-winning industry initiatives.
SRC’s collaboration as part of Saskatchewan’s early pandemic-era Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP) was recognized with a Premier’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. The three-year initiative was aimed at supporting Saskatchewan-based oil and gas service companies to conduct reclamation work on thousands of inactive oil and gas well sites across the province.
You can read more about SRC’s work on this program in our blog post, Saskatchewan Success Story: SRC helps the Accelerated Site Closure Program Achieve Award-Winning Results.
As well, SRC’s Hybrid Energy Container was part of an award-winning demonstration of a mobile direct potable water reuse system for the Canadian Department of National Defence’s Pop-up City contest. We took a deeper dive into this world-first demonstration in our blog post, Deploying Reliable Power: SRC Helps Develop Award-Winning Demonstration.
Sorting and Separation Advancements
In 2024, SRC’s Sorting and Separation team launched its three-stage testing method, which assists clients in selecting the most appropriate sensor-based sorting technology. This process begins with mineral characterization, followed by targeting and modelling and then to pilot-scale testing.
SRC’s experts apply their understanding of sensor performance, mineral characterization and processing to help assess the economic viability of all sorting options, providing a third-party, independent evaluation. This information can be used to assess the potential of both bulk and particle sorting.
Watch our latest SBS video to learn more about this unique staged approach!
Scaling-up Lithium Processing
Another 2024 highlight was SRC upgrading its large-scale lithium pilot plant, which has the capacity to process spodumene, lepidolite, petalite and lithium-brine concentrates to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide monohydrate.
This facility is one of only a few of its kind in North America and Europe and provides lithium companies with the capacity and expertise to prove scale up and commercialization.
More about SRC’s technology development and pilot testing can be found by reading our latest blog on the topic, Unlocking Lithium: Pairing Technology and Expertise to Increase Project Value.
Tech Expo Highlights
And late in 2024, SRC held its first ever Tech Expo event, showcasing a broad array of its leading-edge projects and services to hundreds of staff, industry clients and community groups from across the province. Through a mix of interactive booths, video displays and guided tours, Tech Expo attendees learned about SRC's innovative laboratories and ground-breaking services and were also treated to interactive updates detailing SRC's microreactor project and its under-construction Rare Earth Processing Facility.
Watch all the highlights in our Tech Expo Wrap Video!
As Canada’s second largest research and technology organization, SRC is excited for another year of ahead supporting innovation and industrial commercialization for our clients around the world. Make sure you visit src.sk.ca frequently to stay ‘in the know’ about everything we are doing in 2025 and beyond!
