BOOKS IN REVIEW Handy guide to essential data

Observations on Canada’s mining industry are enhanced with credible, reliable data on the quantity and value of minerals produced. The 1990 edition of the annual Mining in Canada: Facts & Figures provides those numbers in a concise, easy-to-use format. Based on data from Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, the booklet gives the most current statistics as well as a historical perspective. For example, the total value of mineral production in 1989, $21.6 billion, is compared with earlier years back to 1960’s $2 billion.

The quantity and value of various commodities are itemized for 1987, 1988 and 1989. Included are some lesser known commodities such as tellurium, selenium, cobalt and antimony as well as the major metals, non-metals and structural materials.

While exploration is given a separate section heading, it merits only one table: General exploration plus minesite exploration field expenditures, 1988 — distribution of expenditures by commodities sought.

In some areas figures help put the industry into context in relation to other countries’ mining industries and to other sectors of Canada’s economy. For example, Canada is ranked with other countries as one of the top five producers of 17 important minerals — gold among them. A 3-page section on employment compares mining wages to forestry, manufacturing, personal services and several other sectors. A section on international trade gives the value by commodity of various markets for Canadian mineral exports as well as the value and source of mineral imports. A section on transportation shows the volume of material handled by railways and ports.

At the front of the book, some observations based on the figures are covered in a 2-page summary of highlights.

There are some discrepancies between tables which could cause confusion. Some tables include coal but not crude petroleum or natural gas while other tables include all minerals. Some general tables include “confidential data” while others exclude them. Most tables include revised 1988 figures and preliminary 1989 figures, but the table concerning Canada’s world role as a producer of certain important minerals, uses only 1988 figures. These are not a major problem, however, because each table is well explained by title and footnote. Mining in Canada: Facts & Figures, 1990 edition. 48 pages. Published by the Mining Association of Canada. Suite 1105, 350 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ont. K1R 7S8.