Canada is a mining nation.
From the Rockies to the Canadian Shield, and from the Plains and to the North, the variety of geology that exists in the country is immense – and this has created a large and unique opportunity for ground-breaking mineral discoveries.
As a result, Canada is one of the world’s largest exporters of minerals and metals, supplying approximately 60 different mineral commodities to over 100 countries.
An intro to Canadian mining
Today’s infographic comes to us from Natural Resources Canada and it highlights an industry that has given Canada a competitive advantage in the global economy.
The mineral sector brings jobs, investment, and business to Canada.
This impact stems from the whole lifecycle of mining, including exploration, extraction, primary processing, design, and manufacturing processes.
Economic impact
Last year, the minerals sector contributed $72 billion to Canada’s GDP.
Here are the major minerals produced in Canada in 2017, along with their dollar value:...
| Rank | Mineral | Value (2017) | Production (2017) |
| #1 | Gold | $8,700,000,000 | 164,313 kg |
| #2 | Coal | $6,200,000,000 | 59,893,000 tonnes |
| #3 | Copper | $4,700,000,000 | 584,000 tonnes |
| #4 | Potash | $4,600,000,000 | 12,214,000 tonnes |
| #5 | Iron Ore | $3,800,000,000 | 49,009,000 tonnes |
| #6 | Nickel |