Data Source: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/minerals-metals-facts/20507

Canada's minerals and metals sector is a mainstay of the national economy that supports jobs and economic activity in every region. Explore the Minerals and metals facts to learn how the minerals and metals sector contributes to the Canadian economy and our everyday lives. These facts include data, statistics and information on mineral and metal uses, production, trade, prices, employment, and many other themes.

Key facts

• In 2020, Canada produced over 60 minerals and metals worth $44 billion. Metals represented over two thirds of total production, and, more specifically, gold accounted for.
• Canada is a leading global producer of many critical minerals including those used in advanced battery technologies, such as cobalt, graphite and nickel.
• The minerals sector, which includes mining, primary processing, and metal product manufacturing, directly employed 377,000 individuals in 2020.
• Indigenous people accounted for 12% of the mining industry's labour force in the 2016 census, up from 8% in 2011, which ranks mining among the leading industries for Indigenous representation.
• Domestic exports of mineral and metal products reached $103 billion in 2020, accounting for 21% of Canada's total merchandise exports.
• In 2020, $2.1 billion was invested in mineral exploration in Canada. Precious metals (mainly gold) were the most sought-after commodities, accounting for 65% of the spending.