For a decade now, Saskatchewan Geological Survey research geologist Gavin Jensen has been doing presentations on the possibility of lithium development from the salt water that comes up with oil production. Especially when the event was held in Bismarck, the room would often empty out, and he’d be speaking to ten or so people, some of whom he worked with.

It was a lot different at this year’s Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, held in Regina on May 17-18. It was standing room only, with around 80 people crammed into the room. Jensen was followed by Mark Caplan of Prairie Lithium and Randy Fraser of the Saskatchewan Research Council. And when they talked about lithium prices ranging from $21,000 to $65,000 per tonne, people were taking notice.