Ontario accounts for 37% of Canada’s mineral output

Ontario ranks first in terms of annual provincial mineral production value, accounting for about 37% of Canadian production, Ontario Mining Association statistics reveal. Some 90% of Ontario’s metals are exported, mostly in smelted or refined form, contributing significantly to the country’s export economy — one-fiftieth of which comes from the mining sector.

Direct mining jobs in the province total 35,000 and the value of mineral production exceeds $7 billion per year. When the semi- fabrication of minerals is included, the mineral value jumps to $20 billion and the employment figure swells to 212,000. In northern Ontario, where it is the primary industry sector that creates the need for secondary and service industries, mining results in a total of 287,000 jobs.

A review of world mineral production figures provided by Energy Mines and Resources Canada for 1986 showed that, while Canada’s production competes with the rest of the world, the country led the world in the production of only two minerals — uranium and zinc. Canada was second to Russia in production of potash, nickel and asbestos and third in the production of platinum. The nation was fourth with its production of copper, lead, silver and gold.

Some two-thirds of Canada’s nickel production comes from Ontario, compared with about 50% of the country’s gold and 37% of the national copper output. As a province, Ontario isn’t a contributor with potash or coal yields, but it does make notable contributions with its production of such minerals as zinc, uranium and sand and gravel.