Growing versatility
NRT is busy planting seeds and harvesting new opportunities in the ever-changing economic landscape.
NRT sows seeds of progress Northern Resource Trucking (NRT) is no stranger to eco-
business in northern communities, creates jobs for those
nomic upheaval. The company was primarily developed
who want to stay in the north, and provides investment op-
with the purpose of servicing the growing uranium indus-
portunities that keep money in those communities. Now,
try in northern Saskatchewan, but the close ties NRT has
this same business model is drawing attention from com-
with this single resource sector has been both a blessing
panies in Manitoba and Ontario, and NRT is growing its op-
and a curse. With global uranium prices reaching record
erations across the country.
lows in recent years, mine closures, shut downs, and layoffs were inevitable. In the past five years, NRT has been forced to look beyond its biggest customer and to diversify its fleet. So, when 2020 came along, and with it the COVID-19 crisis, NRT was well placed to make the most of a bad situ-
Northern Resource Trucking has expanded steadily in the past 34 years. Now it serves Cameco and Orano, SSR Mining’s Seabee gold mine with their ice road, Federated Coop for fuel and propane, and New Gold in Ontario, among others. NRT has also combined forces with the First Na-
ation. In fact, while other companies struggle to make ends
tions Mining Economic Development (FNMED) Inc. to cre-
meet, NRT is busy planting seeds and harvesting new op-
ate Piwapisk Hauling Limited Partnership in Manitoba, and
portunities in the ever-changing economic landscape.
with Big Grassy River First Nation to create Big Grassy Lo-
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that businesses need to be flexible. Since it’s inception, NRT has made a name for itself for its unique business model; the company is a partnership with Saskatchewan First Nations and was the first of its kind in Canada. Not only has this business model set NRT apart from its competitors, but its partnership keeps
82 PotashWorks 2021
gistics in northwestern Ontario, where NRT’s unique business model is being mirrored in partnerships with First Nations in Manitoba and Ontario that are well positioned to take on the needs of burgeoning resource development east of the Saskatchewan border. One of the things that NRT has had to do in order to take
