VANCOUVER

— — A trio of announcements from western Canadian companies Thursday highlighted the growing interest in Saskatchewan-based coal properties, which one executive likened to a “modern-day coal rush.”

Three companies — WestCan Uranium Corp., Silver Fields Resources Inc., and Cloudbreak Resources Ltd. — all said they've made applications for additional coal permits in the province, Canada's third-largest producer of coal.

“The ministry office in Saskatchewan is overwhelmed with claim submissions and is working extremely hard to grant them on a timely basis,” Cloudbreak Resources said in a release.

The company said it has applied to obtain a full-interest in 198 coal dispositions in the Pasquia Hills of east-central Saskatchewan.

WestCan and Silver Fields, both headed by president Chris England, have submitted their own applications.

WestCan has applied for permits on an undisclosed area of land just north of Prince Albert, Sask.

“The recent discovery of coal deposits in east-central Saskatchewan has resulted in a ‘coal rush' with much of the available properties being targeted for permits,” Mr. England said.

“WestCan's management has become very selective in acquiring additional properties.”

Silver Fields has applied for permits on 9,000 hectares around Lac La Ronge, Sask., also north of Prince Albert.

All of the permits are pending regulatory approval and other related requirements.

© Canadian Press