Nickel leads Canada’s mineral output

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) reports five mineral commodities produced — nickel, copper, gold, zinc and coal — accounted for almost 56% of the 1988 total.

Nickel production worth $3.3 billion led the way, followed by copper at $2.3 billion, gold at $2.2 billion, zinc at $2.1 billion and coal at $1.9 billion.

The big gainers in value were nickel and zinc; both metals benefited from higher prices and increased output. Copper also showed a higher value, but total output was less. Lead showed a drop both in value and output compared with 1987.

The country’s gold production increased last year, to about 4.1 million oz from about 3.7 million oz in 1987.

Among non-metals, total value of production rose to $2.7 billion from $2.5 billion in 1987. A 42.1% hike in the value of potash helped push up the total value of non- metals.

Compared with other producer- nations, Canada in 1987 (data for 1988 is not included) led in the production of uranium concentrates (33.8% of non-communist world output), nickel and zinc.

The nation placed second in global production of potash, asbestos and gypsum, and was third for lead, sulphur and titanium concentrates. Canada was the fourth largest copper producer in 1987.

Including the Soviet Union, Canada was the fourth largest producer of gold in 1987. South Africa continued to lead; the U.S. was third. (In 1988, Australia was reported elsewhere to have climbed past Canada to claim fourth spot in gold output.)

Three provinces — Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec — accounted for 62.3% of the total Canadian value of mineral production last year. Ontario topped the list with 33.4% of the total Canadian value.

MAC reports there were 577 producing mining establishments across the country last year, 33.3% of which were located in Quebec, 25.8% in Ontario and 9.7% in British Columbia.

The nation’s mining industry employed 106,375 workers last year, 44.7% of them in metal mines and 28% in smelting and refining.

Weekly salaries in the mining industry last year averaged $717.89, up 5.1% from 1987 and higher than the wages paid in the forestry, transportatio n, utilities and construction sectors. The 1988 national industrial aggregate wage amounted to $464.99.

The membership of MAC comprises companies engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Statistical information from the federal government helped MAC to compile its report.

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