Copper and nickel output slips as gold edges up

Canada produced an increasing amount of gold between March 1995 and March 1996, but the country’s production of silver, copper and nickel slipped.

Production of lead, zinc and salt also increased over the period, while output of asbestos and potash declined.

The statistics shown below were compiled by the Department of Natural Resources, and are included in the March 1996 issue of Production of Canada’s Leading Minerals. To order a copy, contact Jacqueline Paquette of the Department of Natural Resources at (613) 992-9005.

Canadian Mineral Production Over 12-month Period – Nonferrous

	March 1996	March 1995
Refined copper	45,965 tonnes	51,570 tonnes
Primary copper	54,516 tonnes	57,427 tonnes
Primary nickel	16,141 tonnes	17,534 tonnes
Gold	13,505,922 grams	12,781,998 grams
Silver	97,371 kg	100,739 kg
Primary lead	21,762 tonnes	12,793 tonnes
Refined lead	16,442 tonnes	16,319 tonnes
Primary zinc	8,495 tonnes	66,464 tonnes
Refined zinc	63,850 tonnes	61,103 tonnes

Canadian Mineral Production Over 12-month Period – Ferrous

March 1996March 1995

Iron1,242,321 tonnes1,119,000 tonnes

Canadian Mineral Production Over 12-month Period – Nonmetallic

March 1996March 1995

Salt872,257 tonnes699,187 tonnes

Asbestos41,804 tonnes42,352 tonnes

Potash746,769 tonnes899,770 tonnes