Mineral production in Quebec during 1989 increased on average by 13%, while sales of the province’s minerals rose by 3.8%, to $2.8 billion, from 1988 levels. Sales of copper, zinc and gold rose by 26%, 14% and 7%, respectively, compared with 1988. The value of copper sold increased by 37% and zinc by 49%. The value of gold sales dropped by 10%, reflecting the precious metal’s lower world price.
Asbestos producers in the province saw their revenues increase by 3%, despite a decision by the U.S. to phase out the use of the mineral inside that country over a number of years.
The province’s mining industry (exploration and production) employed more than 21,200 persons in 1989, down by 4.2% from the previous year. Exploration expenditures totalled an estimated $215 million, down from $369.5 million in 1988.
The International Magnesium Association (IMA) has awarded a contract to the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET) for a 4-year project to study the fundamental aspects of the corrosion of magnesium.
The US$760,000 project will be funded equally by IMA and CANMET, the research branch of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada. Some of the research will be performed at the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa and at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont.
Magnesium alloys are used in projects ranging from computers to aircraft and automotive components. As the lightest of commonly used structural metals, magnesium offers substantial weight savings in all transportation systems.
Be the first to comment on "Mineral production in Que. up 13%"