Canadian Reserves of Selected Major Metals and Recent Production Decisions
Arlene Drake
The author is a senior exploration analyst with the Lands and Minerals Sector,
Natural Resources Canada.
Telephone: 343-292-8604
E-mail: Arlene Drake
Reserve of selected major metals
In the 30-year period from 1980 to 2010, Canada’s reserves of base metals declined continuously at annual average rates varying from 0.69% for molybdenum to 8.86% for lead. This period of prolonged decline resulted in some metal reserve levels of less than half of the known ore reserves reported at the end of 1980. Reserves in 2010 were 64% of 1980 reserves for copper, 37% for nickel, 46% for molybdenum, 15% for zinc, 4% for lead, and 20% for silver. Gold reserves saw an increase of 178% over that same period.
In general, metal prices continued to gain strength in 2010, despite a temporary slowdown in June, and peaked at record levels in December. Copper averaged US$3.42 per pound (/lb),1 nickel averaged US$9.90/lb, zinc averaged US$0.98/lb, and lead averaged US$0.97/lb. Gold prices remained high throughout the year, averaging US$1224.52 per ounce (/oz), while silver averaged US$20.16/oz. By year-end 2010, copper was selling for US$4.15/lb, lead for US$1.09/lb, zinc for US$1.03/lb, and nickel for US$10.94/lb. Gold and silver prices reached US$1390.54/oz and US$29.36/oz, respectively.
A number of mines that closed in 2009 re-opened in 2010, two new mines announced production decisions, and a significant number of old mines that have been closed for a number of years were rejuvenated with new mine plans.
On a yearly basis, copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold reserves increased from 2009 to 2010. The increase in copper reserves was due to significant contributions from new mines in British Columbia (Mt. Milligan, Copper Mountain, and New Afton) and additions at the Gibraltar and Highland Valley mines in British Columbia and at Xstrata’s Sudbury operations in Ontario. Molybdenum reserves increased at the Highland Valley and Gibraltar mines in British Columbia. Gold reserves increased due to four new mines: Canadian Malartic in Quebec, New Afton in British Columbia, Young-Davidson in Ontario, and Copper Mountain in British Columbia. Increases in gold reserves also occurred at established mines like the Red Lake and Macassa mines in Ontario and the Rice Lake mine in Manitoba. Increases in silver reserves were due to new openings of the Copper Mountain and New Afton mines in British Columbia and the Bracemac-MacLeod mine in Quebec, as well as to additions at other established operations such as Vale’s Ontario operations and the Highland Valley mine in British Columbia. In 2010, gold, copper, molybdenum, and silver reserves increased by 60%, 47%, 18%, and 11%, respectively.
Decreases were recorded in the reserves of lead (11%), nickel (7%), and zinc (3%). Although some reserves continued to decline in 2010, strong metal prices have enabled new mines to come on stream and established mines to expand reserves, and have also breathed new life into old mines, significantly increasing some metal reserve levels during the year.
Vale recorded significant decreases in nickel reserves at its Sudbury operations due to mine depletion and the reclassification of mineral reserves to resources at the Copper Cliff South mine and Stobie mine deposits. Table 1 illustrates the main components of change in Canadian reserves in 2010.
Despite strong metal prices, the uncertainty over European debt and the recovery of the U.S. economy meant 2010 was a year of guarded optimism. The uncertainty fueled the rise in the price of gold upon fears of a possible double-dip recession. Canadian companies continued to supply minerals for emerging countries, where continued expansion ensured robust demand for minerals and metals. Mining companies entered 2011 in strong financial and operational positions to take advantage of favourable prices and markets, but the potential for another market correction remains a concern.
Reserves Policy
Canadian reserves are estimated from information contained in annual and other corporate reports, and from the responses of mining companies to the annual federal-provincial/territorial Survey of Mines and Concentrators. Reserves reported here include only metal contained in material that is classified by companies as “proven reserves” or “probable reserves” at producing mines and in deposits that are firmly committed to production (Table 2). Metal contained in mineral resources classified by companies as “measured resources,” “indicated resources,” or “inferred resources” are not included in national reserve totals, nor is metal contained in deposits that have not advanced beyond the deposit appraisal phase (Figure 1). When available, only metal contained in mineable ore is included in Canadian totals in order to exclude losses inherent in the mining process. Every effort is made to achieve, from year to year, consistency in the reserves reported here; however, consistency ultimately depends on industry practice, which has evolved over the years. Imperial units reported by companies have been converted to metric units and the results have been rounded to the appropriate number of significant digits.
Reserves by Commodity
Gold
There was 1473 tonnes (t) of gold contained in Canadian mine reserves in December 2010. This represents an increase of 60% (555 t) compared to December 2009. The largest addition to gold reserves came from the new Canadian Malartic mine in Val-d’Or, Quebec, which added 278 t, followed by the soon-to-be-re-opened Young-Davidson mine in Matachewan, Ontario, the New Afton mine in British Columbia, and the recently opened Timmins mine in Ontario with 88 t, 33 t, and 27 t, respectively. In total, two new mines and five re-opened mines added to the gold reserves total in 2010. A 13-t decrease in gold reserves was recorded at the Black Fox mine near Timmins, Ontario. Since 2005, gold reserves have been on an increasing trend.
Silver
There was 6916 t of silver contained in Canadian mine reserves in December 2010. This represents an 11% increase (662 t) compared to December 2009. The Kidd Creek mine in Ontario, the LaRonde mine in Quebec, and the Brunswick No. 12 mine in New Brunswick saw decreases of 165 t, 137 t, and 116 t, respectively. Additions were made to silver reserves by Vale’s Ontario operations (631 t) and by three new mines: Copper Mountain in British Columbia, Bracemac-MacLeod in Quebec, and the New Afton mine in British Columbia, adding 264 t, 106 t, and 96 t, respectively. Silver grades have been estimated for a number of mines to ensure continuity of reporting national levels from year to year.
Zinc
During 2010, Canadian reserves of zinc declined by about 117 000 t (3%) to a year-end total of approximately 4.13 million tonnes (Mt). The greatest reduction in zinc reserves was recorded at the Kidd Creek mine in Timmins, Ontario. As the result of lower tonnage and grades, Kidd Creek’s reserves decreased by 134 000 t. Decreases were also recorded at the LaRonde mine in Quebec (98 000 t) and the Brunswick No. 12 mine in New Brunswick (78 000 t), which is nearing the end of its mine life. The only addition to zinc reserves (362 000 t) occurred at the new Bracemac-MacLeod mine in Mattagami, Quebec.
Lead
In 2010, Canadian reserves of lead decreased by approximately 11% to a year-end total of 400 000 t. The largest declines in lead reserves occurred at the Brunswick No. 12 mine (36 000 t), at the LaRonde mine (9000 t), and at the Kidd Creek mine (5000 t). There were no new or operating mines posting additions to lead reserves in 2010.
Copper
In December 2010, Canadian reserves of copper were estimated at around 10.7 Mt, an increase of 47% (3.5 Mt) compared to one year earlier. In British Columbia, additions to copper reserves occurred at the Gibraltar mine (1.08 Mt) and at three new mines: Mt. Milligan (1.06 Mt), Copper Mountain (757 000 t), and New Afton (450 000 t). Increases were also recorded by the Highland Valley mine in British Columbia, by Xstrata’s Sudbury operations in Ontario, at the new Bracemac-MacLeod mine in Quebec, and at the Minto mine in the Yukon. Decreases occurred at the Kidd Creek mine (48 000 t), at Vale’s Ontario operations (46 000 t), and at the Voisey’s Bay mine (38 000 t) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 2005, copper reserves have been on an increasing trend.
Molybdenum
Canadian reserves of molybdenum stood at 253 590 t in December 2010, an 18% increase from 2009. Reserves gains were recorded at the Highland Valley (26 000 t), Gibraltar (14 000 t), and Huckleberry (120 t) mines in British Columbia. Decreases were recorded at the Endako mine in British Columbia. Since 2005, molybdenum reserves have been on an increasing trend.
Nickel
In December 2010, there were some 3.1 Mt of nickel contained in Canadian mine reserves, a decrease of approximately 7% from 2009 levels. The largest decrease in nickel reserves occurred at Vale’s Ontario operations with reported nickel reserves of 56 000 t less than in 2009. Decreases were also recorded at Vale’s Voisey’s Bay mine (54 000 t) in Labrador and at the McCreedy West mine (32 000 t) in Ontario. Reserves were added from Xstrata’s Sudbury operations (44 000 t) in Ontario and from Vale’s Manitoba operations (10 000 t). There were also additions at the Bucko mine in Manitoba and the Lac des Iles mine in Ontario.
Nickel reserves in the Sudbury region decreased by 8%, or approximately 142 000 t, as the result of mine depletions and the reclassification of reserves to resources at suspended operations. In 2010 and early 2011, Vale and Xstrata intended to continue advancing new projects in the Sudbury region. The Fraser Morgan project that was delayed in 2009 is currently undergoing a new feasibility study, and Vale’s Totten development project is expected to begin production in 2012.
Vale had some 2.4 Mt of nickel in Canadian reserves at the end of 2010, or about 79% of the total.
Canadian Reserves by Province and Territory
The same four provinces (British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick) continued to hold dominant positions in terms of Canada’s proven and probable mineable reserves of major metals in December 2010 (Table 3).
British Columbia had 100% of the molybdenum, 64% of the copper, 16% of the silver, 8% of the lead, 7% of the zinc, and 6% of the gold.
Ontario had 52% of the nickel, 42% of the gold, 28% of the silver, 24% of the copper, 20% of the zinc, and 7% of the lead.
Quebec had 39% of the gold, 28% of the zinc, 17% of the silver, 11% of the nickel, 9% of the lead, and 2% of the copper.
New Brunswick had 60% of the lead, 15% of the zinc, and 10% of the silver.
The Yukon had 22% of the silver, 16% of the lead, 12% of the zinc, 2% of the copper, and 1% of the gold.
Manitoba had 17% of the nickel, 15% of the zinc, 6% of the silver, 4% of the gold, and 3% of the copper.
Newfoundland and Labrador had 20% of the nickel, 4% of the copper, 3% of the zinc, and 1% of the silver.
Nunavut had 7% of the gold.
Saskatchewan had 1% of the gold.
Canadian Reserves by Industry Classification
Canadian mines are, to a large extent, polymetallic, a complexity that the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) tends to oversimplify (Table 4).
In 2010, mine reserves of gold in Canada were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 88%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 8%; Nickel-Copper Ore Mining, 3%; and Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 1%.
In 2010, mine reserves of silver in Canada were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 40%; Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 31%; Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 15%; and Nickel-Copper Ore Mining, 14%.
Mine reserves of copper in Canada in 2010 were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 73%; Nickel-Copper Ore Mining, 25%; Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 1%; and Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 1%.
Mine reserves of molybdenum in Canada were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: Molybdenum Mining, 51%; and Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 49%.
Mine reserves of nickel in Canada were contained 100% in the NAICS class of Nickel-Copper Ore Mining.
Mine reserves of lead in Canada were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 76%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 15%; and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 9%.
Mine reserves of zinc in Canada were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 63%; Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 27%; and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 10%.
Apparent Life of Canadian Reserves
The apparent life (life index) of mine reserves is usually calculated by dividing the total amount of metals remaining in mine reserves at the end of a given year by the corresponding amount of metals contained in the ores produced during that year. Similar calculations are often applied at the national level.
At the national level, life indices are but a very rough measure of the expected life of aggregate mine reserves and they are often misleading unless abnormal situations are recognized. Life indices based on proven and probable reserves do not make allowances for inferred extensions to reserves at current mines; gross additions that will accrue to current reserves from the likely development, in the foreseeable future, of known orebodies for which a production decision has yet to be made; or expected changes in production rates. Furthermore, life indices tend to overstate the apparent life of reserves when, for example, annual production is abnormally low due to strikes, cutbacks, or suspensions at large establishments, or when significant increases in capacity resulting from new production decisions will be coming on stream, but only several years later.
The apparent life indices for the major metals in Canada at the end of 2010 were 17 years for nickel (lower production due to strikes and closed mines), 22 years for copper (due to large increases in reserves), 8 years for gold, 27 years for molybdenum (due to lower production), 5 years for zinc, 8 years for silver, and 4 years for lead.
Reserve Trends
Figure 2 and Table 5 show how Canadian reserves of copper, nickel, lead, zinc, molybdenum, and silver have declined since the early 1980s. In contrast, gold reserves increased substantially until 1988 before beginning to decline.
With continued robust demand and high metal prices, companies were spurred to develop new mines and embark on expansions at existing mines, resulting in a string of new mine openings in 2010 and expected increases in future capacity. This resulted in increases in reserve levels of copper, molybdenum, gold, and silver. Despite the opportunity created by the economic rebound, strong metal prices, and continued strong demand from Asia, reserves of nickel, zinc, and lead continued on a downward trend in 2010. Projects that were delayed in 2009 are going ahead and old mines were revisited and given new life, ready to resume production in 2011 and 2012 (Figure 2).
The annual aggregate change in Canadian reserves is the net result of three main factors affecting individual mines (Figure 3): additions to reserves, deletions to reserves, and production. Additions to reserves are the result of new discoveries; new geological, metallurgical, production, or other information; a decrease in production costs; or a rise in commodity prices, all of which increase the quantity of mineral resources that is profitable to mine. Deletions to reserves are the result of new geological, metallurgical, production, or other information; increases in costs; or decreases in commodity prices, all of which reduce the quantity of mineral resources previously counted in mine reserves that are now expected to be mined at a profit (Figure 3).
Resources Policy
This 2010 edition of Canadian Reserves of Selected Major Metals and Recent Production Decisions includes, for the first time, data on mineral resources at producing mines and mines committed to production. Where reserves represent the economically mineable portion of the mineral inventory at a mine, resources represent a less certain portion of a mine’s mineral inventory. Based on preliminary technical and economic analysis, there is some confidence that resources will be converted to economically mineable reserves.
Canadian resources are estimated from information contained in annual and other corporate reports. Resources reported here include only metal contained in material that is classified by companies as “measured resources” or “indicated resources” at producing mines and in deposits that are firmly committed to production (Table 2). Metal contained in mineral resources classified by companies as “inferred resources” is not included in national resource totals, nor is metal contained in deposits that have not advanced beyond the deposit appraisal phase (Figure 1). Mineral resources are an inventory of mineralization that has a reasonable prospect for economic extraction as calculated by the company. Resources are less certain than reserves and not all resources will be upgraded to reserves. Resources do not take into account dilution. As with reserves, every effort is made to achieve consistency in the resources reported here; however, consistency ultimately depends on industry reporting practices. Many companies report resources inclusive of reserves; therefore, it was necessary to recalculate resources by removing reserves. Imperial units reported by companies have been converted to metric units and the results have been rounded to the appropriate number of significant digits.
Resources by Commodity
Gold
There was 653 t of gold in measured and indicated resources at operating mines in Canada in 2010 (Table 6). Additions occurred at the Canadian Malartic mine in Quebec (70 t) and at the Black Fox mine (32 t) in Ontario. The largest reductions occurred at the Meadowbank mine (60 t) in Nunavut and at the Mt. Polley mine (49 t) (where resources were not available for 2010) in British Columbia. The Porcupine mine in Ontario saw resources decline by 31 t while reserves at the mine increased. Osisko’s Canadian Malartic mine is responsible for 26% of the additions to gold resources. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the additions occurred at new and re-opened mines.
Silver
There was 3224 t of silver in measured and indicated resources at operating mines in Canada in 2010. Additions occurred at the new Bellekeno mine (369 t) in the Yukon and at the new Bracemac-MacLeod mine (227 t) in Quebec. The largest reductions occurred at the Brunswick No. 12 mine in New Brunswick (107 t) and at the Kidd Creek mine in Ontario (107 t), where resources were upgraded to reserves at both mines. The new Bellekeno mine was responsible for 50% of the additions. Ninety percent (90%) of the additions occurred at new mines.
Zinc
During 2010, Canadian resources of zinc stood at 1.5 Mt. Additions occurred at the Bracemac-MacLeod mine (190 000 t) in Quebec, and the largest decreases occurred at the Brunswick No. 12 mine in New Brunswick (107 000 t) and the Perseverance mine in Quebec (63 000 t). Thirty-seven percent (37%) of the additions to zinc resources came from the Bracemac-MacLeod mine and 43% came from new mines.
Lead
In 2010, Canadian resources of lead stood at 200 000 t. Additions of 38 000 t were recorded at the new Bellekeno mine in the Yukon, and decreases of 37 000 t were recorded at the Brunswick No. 12 mine. Additions of 43% came from the new Bellekeno and Bracemac-MacLeod mines, with Bellekeno accounting for 37%. All other additions came from Kidd Creek.
Copper
In December 2010, Canadian resources of copper stood at 2.48 Mt. Additions occurred in British Columbia at three new mines: Copper Mountain (450 000 t), Mt. Milligan (364 000 t), and New Afton (246 000 t). The largest decrease (827 000 t) occurred at the Gibraltar mine in British Columbia followed by Xstrata’s Sudbury operations in Ontario (81 000 t). Both drops were explained by additions to reserves and decreases in resources for copper. Eighty-three percent (83%) of the additions came from new mines (Copper Mountain, New Afton, and Bracemac-MacLeod). Copper Mountain accounted for 35% of the additions to copper resources.
Molybdenum
Canadian resources of molybdenum stood at 40 000 t. A decrease occurred at the Endako mine (31 000 t) in British Columbia. Resources at the Gibraltar mine, also in British Columbia, decreased by 27 000 t as resources were also converted to reserves.
Nickel
In December 2010, there were some 385 000 t of nickel in resources. Additions occurred at the Shakespeare mine (7000 t) and at the new McWatters mine (6000 t), both in Ontario. Decreases occurred at the Levack/Morrison mine (108 000 t), also in Ontario. Sixty-one percent (61%) of the new nickel resources were added by the Shakespeare and McWatters mines. It should be noted that Vale does not publish resource numbers for its Canadian operations. Therefore, the national resource levels of nickel, copper, gold, silver, and platinum group metals will all be under-reported to some extent.
Canadian Resources by Province and Territory
Four provinces (British Columbia, the Yukon, Ontario, and Quebec) held dominant positions in terms of Canada’s measured and indicated resources of major metals in December 2010 (Table 7).
British Columbia contained 100% of the molybdenum, 64% of the copper, 8% of the zinc, 5% of the silver, 4% of the gold, and 4% of the lead.
The Yukon contained 65% of the silver, 54% of the lead, 39% of the zinc, 20% of the copper, and 4% of the gold.
Ontario contained 59% of the gold, 43% of the nickel, 19% of the zinc, 12% of the copper, 11% of the silver, and 6% of the lead.
Quebec contained 48% of the nickel, 26% of the gold, 22% of the zinc, 13% of the silver, 5% of the lead, and 3% of the copper.
New Brunswick contained 32% of the lead, 11% of the zinc, 6% of the silver, and less than 1% of the copper.
Manitoba contained 9% of the nickel and less than 1% of the gold.
Nunavut contained 7% of the gold.
Newfoundland and Labrador contained less than 1% of each of copper, zinc, silver, and gold.
Saskatchewan contained less than 1% of the gold.
Canadian Resources by Industry Classification
Canadian mines are, to a large extent, polymetallic, a complexity that the NAICS tends to oversimplify (Table 8).
In 2010, resources of gold in Canadian mines were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 92%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 6%; Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 1%; Miscellaneous, 1%; and Nickel-Copper Ore Mining, less than 1%.
In 2010, resources of silver in Canadian mines were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 67%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 27%; and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 6%.
Resources of copper in Canadian mines in 2010 were distributed through the various NAICS classes as follows: Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 88%; Nickel-Copper Ore Mining, 9%; Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 3%; and Miscellaneous and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, both less than 1%.
Resources of molybdenum in Canadian mines were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: 70% in Copper-Zinc Ore Mining and 30% in Molybdenum Mining.
Resources of nickel in Canadian mines were contained 93% in the NAICS class of Nickel-Copper Ore Mining and 7% in the Miscellaneous category.
Resources of lead in Canadian mines were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 86%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 10%; and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 5%.
Resources of zinc in Canadian mines were contained in the NAICS classes as follows: Lead-Zinc Ore Mining, 50%; Copper-Zinc Ore Mining, 44%; and Gold and Silver Ore Mining, 6%.
Resource Trends
Figure 4 shows how Canadian resources of silver and gold have increased from 2008 to 2010. In contrast, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc resources have fluctuated and molybdenum resources have decreased.
Changes to resources are the result of three main factors affecting individual mines: additions to resources from new geological information, improved technology, and commodity prices. Resources may be upgraded to reserves, in which case reserves will increase and resources will decrease unless new material is added.
During 2010, silver resources increased by 19%, gold resources increased by 18%, and zinc and lead resources increased by 5% and 2%, respectively. Molybdenum resources declined by 67%, nickel resources decreased by 53%, and copper resources decreased by 40%.
During 2009, silver resources increased by 61%, copper resources increased by 29%, nickel resources increased by 21%, and gold resources increased by 16%. Molybdenum resources declined by 52%, lead resources decreased by 23%, and zinc resources decreased by 20%.
The large decline in copper from 2009 to 2010, and the smaller decline in nickel, may be due to projects that moved from development into production decisions, thereby upgrading resources into reserves for 2010. As well, several significant mines either did not report resources or had only inferred resources, which were not taken into account for this report, thereby significantly reducing resource levels in 2010.
If measured and indicated contained resources are added to reserves at producing mines and at mines committed to production, and if the same production levels are assumed, the total apparent life (life index) of these mineral resources could be used as an indicator of the underlying robustness of currently producing and soon-to-be-producing mines in Canada.
The apparent life indices of reserves including resources in 2010 would increase from 17 years to 19 years for nickel, from 22 years to 26 years for copper, from 8 years to 11 years for gold, from 27 years to 31 years for molybdenum, from 5 years to 7 years for zinc, from 8 years to 12 years for silver, and from 4 years to 6 years for lead.
Recent production decisions
Several criteria need to be met for a project to be considered to have reached the production decision stage for the purposes of this report. In general, there needs to have been a positive production feasibility study, all of the necessary permits must have been obtained, financing must have been arranged, and directors must have approved construction. Table 9 shows the production decisions that added to Canadian reserve totals in 2010.
In 2010, there were two new mines slated for near-term production: the underground Bracemac-MacLeod mine in Quebec and the open-pit Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine in British Columbia. There were five projects at historical mine sites that have been rejuvenated, including the Copper Mountain mine (formerly the Similco mine) and the New Afton underground mine at the old Afton open pit, both in British Columbia. Also in the rejuvenated category are the new Bellekeno open pits in the historical Bellekeno district of the Yukon, the large Canadian Malartic mine (at the old underground Malartic mine site) in Val-d’Or, Quebec, and the Young-Davidson gold mine in Ontario. Re-opened mines included the Sigma-Lamaque gold mine in Quebec, the Holt gold mine in Ontario, the Francoeur gold mine in Quebec, and the QR gold mine in British Columbia.
In the 2009 reserves compilation, the Fraser Morgan and Totten nickel-copper deposits in Ontario were listed as opening. In fact, neither mine opened in 2010. Fraser Morgan is undergoing a feasibility study and the Totten production date has been moved to 2012.
Outlook
Strong metal prices encouraged the redevelopment of a number of old mines, the opening of some new ones, and expansions at operating mines. Despite the uncertainty surrounding European countries’ debt and the recovery of the U.S. economy, Canadian mining operations are in a valuable position to supply minerals and metals to satisfy the strong demand from emerging countries. A significant number of projects are advancing project feasibility studies, some of which are past producing mines. Therefore, Canada’s ore reserves should be able to maintain their current levels or even make gains, as was the case in 2010.
Note to Readers: The intent of this document is to provide general information and to elicit discussion. It is not intended as a reference, guide or suggestion to be used in trading, investment, or other commercial activities. The author and Natural Resources Canada make no warranty of any kind with respect to the content and accept no liability, either incidental, consequential, financial or otherwise, arising from the use of this document. Information in this article was current as of September 2011.
1Metal prices from kitco.com and metalprices.com.
Figure 1
Generalized Model of Mineral Resource Development
Figure 2
Canadian Reserves of Selected Major Metals, 1988-2010
(Metal Contained in Proven and Probable Mineable Ore in Operating Mines and Deposits Committed to Production as at December 31 of Each Year)
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on company reports.
Note: This series was revised during 1996.
[Text Version - Figure 2. Canadian Reserves of Selected Major Metals, 1988-2010]
Figure 3
Main Components of Change in Canada’s Reserves of Selected Major Metals, 1988-2010
Source: Natural Resources Canada.
Figure 4
Annual Rates of Change of Canadian Reserves of Selected Major Metals, 2008-10
Source: Natural Resources Canada.
Note: Vale S.A. does not report resources, so nickel, copper, silver, and gold may be under-reported.
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports and the federal-provincial/territorial survey of mines and concentrators.
– Nil.
| Metal | Unit | Revised Opening Metal Balance, January 2010 | Metal in Ore Mined During 2010 | Metal Apparently Written Off During 2010 | Metal in New Reserves Found During 2010 | Net Change During 2010 | Closing Metal Balance, December 2010 | % Change During 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 000 t | 7 290 | 599 | -184 | 4 240 | 3 457 | 10 747 | 47.00 |
| Nickel | 000 t | 3 301 | 184 | -183 | 140 | -227 | 3 074 | -6.89 |
| Lead | 000 t | 451 | 109 | -5 | 63 | -51 | 400 | -11.31 |
| Zinc | 000 t | 4 250 | 754 | -36 | 673 | -116 | 4 133 | -2.74 |
| Molybdenum | 000 t | 215 | 9 | – | 48 | 39 | 254 | 18.00 |
| Silver | t | 6 254 | 822 | -56 | 1 540 | 662 | 6 916 | 11.00 |
| Gold | t | 918 | 193 | -18 | 766 | 555 | 1 473 | 60.00 |
| Province or Territory, Name of Mine, Resource Type | Tonnes | Grade | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ag | Au | Cu | Mo | Ni | Pb | Zn | ||
| (g/t) | (g/t) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | (%) | ||
| BRITISH COLUMBIA | ||||||||
| Copper Mountain | ||||||||
| Proven | 134 864 805 | 1.34 | 0.10 | 0.38 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 76 306 030 | 1.09 | 0.08 | 0.32 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Endako | ||||||||
| Proven (mine) | 102 693 313 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 0.05 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Proven (stockpile) | 29 211 349 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 0.04 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 150 229 793 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 0.05 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Gibraltar | ||||||||
| Proven | 585 000 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.31 | 0.01 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 217 000 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.29 | 0.01 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Highland Valley | ||||||||
| Proven | 378 300 000 | x | x | 0.32 | 0.01 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 245 400 000 | x | x | 0.28 | 0.01 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Huckleberry | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Kemess South | ||||||||
| Proven | 3 495 303 | n.a. | 0.24 | 0.12 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Mount Polley | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | 45 807 000 | 0.47 | 0.26 | 0.31 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Mt. Milligan | ||||||||
| Proven | 302 700 000 | n.a. | 0.01 | 0.21 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 229 100 000 | n.a. | 0.01 | 0.19 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Myra Falls | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | 6 255 000 | 43.00 | 1.30 | 0.90 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.50 | 4.90 |
| New Afton | ||||||||
| Probable | 47 400 000 | 2.03 | 0.69 | 0.95 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| QR | ||||||||
| Proven | 12 090 | n.a. | 4.69 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 181 380 | n.a. | 4.86 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| MANITOBA | ||||||||
| 777 Deposit | ||||||||
| Proven | 4 597 000 | 29.33 | 2.26 | 2.83 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 4.45 |
| Probable | 8 756 000 | 27.01 | 1.77 | 1.74 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 4.19 |
| Bucko | ||||||||
| Proven | 359 000 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 1.63 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 3 349 000 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 1.44 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Chisel Lake North | ||||||||
| Proven | 164 000 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 8.77 |
| Probable | 148 000 | 19.61 | 1.50 | 1.07 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 6.29 |
| Rice Lake | ||||||||
| Proven | 528 740 | n.a. | 7.59 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 1 906 845 | n.a. | 10.95 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Trout Lake | ||||||||
| Proven | 409 000 | 9.66 | 2.06 | 2.10 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 3.53 |
| Probable | 36 000 | 1.01 | 1.17 | 2.18 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 1.43 |
| Vale Manitoba Division | ||||||||
| Proven | 8 200 000 | x | x | 0.11 | n.a. | 1.79 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 18 500 000 | x | x | 0.10 | n.a. | 1.69 | n.a. | n.a. |
| NEW BRUNSWICK | ||||||||
| Brunswick No. 12 | ||||||||
| Proven | 5 400 000 | 98.00 | x | 0.40 | n.a. | n.a. | 3.20 | 8.00 |
| Probable | 2 200 000 | 84.00 | x | 0.30 | n.a. | n.a. | 3.10 | 8.10 |
| NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR | ||||||||
| Duck Pond | ||||||||
| Proven | 2 100 000 | x | x | 2.89 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 4.80 |
| Probable | 500 000 | x | x | 2.97 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 2.50 |
| Pine Cove | ||||||||
| Probable | 2 635 000 | n.a. | 2.07 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Voisey's Bay | ||||||||
| Proven | 21 000 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 1.65 | n.a. | 2.87 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 3 100 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.36 | n.a. | 0.65 | n.a. | n.a. |
| NUNAVUT | ||||||||
| Meadowbank | ||||||||
| Proven | 839 000 | n.a. | 3.13 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 33 259 000 | n.a. | 3.18 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| ONTARIO | ||||||||
| Black Fox | ||||||||
| Proven | 287 000 | n.a. | 1.50 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable (open pit) | 3 113 000 | n.a. | 3.20 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable (underground) | 2 936 000 | n.a. | 5.90 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Eagle River | ||||||||
| Proven | 88 400 | 0.60 | 11.00 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 256 600 | 0.60 | 16.50 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Hemlo (David Bell, Williams) | ||||||||
| Proven | 4 896 076 | n.a. | 3.67 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 11 785 237 | n.a. | 2.06 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Hislop | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | 2 108 000 | n.a. | 2.05 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Holloway | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | 138 000 | n.a. | 3.96 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Holt | ||||||||
| Proven + Probable | 3 135 000 | n.a. | 5.06 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Island Gold | ||||||||
| Proven | 354 698 | n.a. | 6.48 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 463 368 | n.a. | 5.86 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Kidd Creek | ||||||||
| Proven | 14 900 000 | 57.00 | n.a. | 2.08 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.16 | 4.84 |
| Probable | 2 500 000 | 37.00 | n.a. | 1.38 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.13 | 4.23 |
| Lac des Iles | ||||||||
| Proven | 549 000 | n.a. | 0.29 | 0.06 | n.a. | 0.07 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 586 000 | n.a. | 0.30 | 0.06 | n.a. | 0.08 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Levack/Morrison | ||||||||
| Proven | 910 000 | n.a. | 0.81 | 8.28 | n.a. | 1.61 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Macassa | ||||||||
| Proven | 1 086 807 | x | 15.74 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 2 029 372 | x | 23.48 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| McCreedy West | ||||||||
| Probable | 530 000 | n.a. | 0.58 | 1.19 | n.a. | 1.00 | n.a. | n.a. |
| McWatters | ||||||||
| Probable | . . | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | . . | n.a. | n.a. |
| Musselwhite | ||||||||
| Proven | 4 120 000 | n.a. | 6.01 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 6 420 000 | n.a. | 6.39 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Podolsky | ||||||||
| Probable | 460 000 | n.a. | 0.69 | 3.34 | n.a. | 0.29 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Porcupine | ||||||||
| Proven | 28 300 000 | x | 1.37 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 48 290 000 | x | 1.32 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Red Lake (Campbell and Cochenour) | ||||||||
| Proven | 2 080 000 | 2.80 | 16.54 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 7 860 000 | 2.80 | 11.92 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Redstone | ||||||||
| Proven | . . | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | . . | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 197 000 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 0.95 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Shakespeare | ||||||||
| Probable | . . | n.a. | . . | . . | n.a. | . . | n.a. | n.a. |
| Timmins | ||||||||
| Proven | 3 663 986 | n.a. | 7.36 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Vale Ontario Division | ||||||||
| Proven | 66 100 000 | x | 0.30 | 1.51 | n.a. | 1.23 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 46 200 000 | x | 0.50 | 1.55 | n.a. | 1.15 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Xstrata Sudbury | ||||||||
| Proven | 7 320 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 1.60 | n.a. | 1.50 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 7 470 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 3.82 | n.a. | 1.14 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Young-Davidson | ||||||||
| Proven | 7 262 000 | n.a. | 2.37 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 25 128 000 | n.a. | 2.80 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| QUEBEC | ||||||||
| Beaufor | ||||||||
| Proven | 81 742 | n.a. | 7.53 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 201 296 | n.a. | 7.60 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Bracemac-MacLeod | ||||||||
| Proven | 3 700 000 | 28.00 | 0.40 | 1.30 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 9.60 |
| Probable | 100 000 | 28.00 | 0.40 | 2.40 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 6.30 |
| Canadian Malartic | ||||||||
| Proven | 28 400 000 | n.a. | 0.92 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 400 000 | n.a. | 1.16 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Casa Berardi | ||||||||
| Proven | 2 271 000 | n.a. | 7.60 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 5 583 000 | n.a. | 5.00 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Francoeur | ||||||||
| Probable | 615 664 | n.a. | 6.91 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Goldex | ||||||||
| Proven | 14 804 000 | n.a. | 1.87 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 12 990 000 | n.a. | 1.62 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Kiena | ||||||||
| Proven | 534 000 | n.a. | 2.90 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 563 000 | n.a. | 2.70 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Lac Herbin | ||||||||
| Proven | 43 000 | n.a. | 7.45 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 96 000 | n.a. | 6.45 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Lapa | ||||||||
| Proven | 1 122 000 | n.a. | 7.24 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 1 709 000 | n.a. | 7.56 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| LaRonde | ||||||||
| Proven | 4 838 000 | 55.17 | 2.36 | 0.26 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.32 | 2.78 |
| Probable | 29 892 000 | 23.99 | 4.63 | 0.28 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.07 | 0.90 |
| Mouska (Doyon Division) | ||||||||
| Proven | 66 000 | n.a. | 14.70 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 109 000 | n.a. | 11.90 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Perseverence | ||||||||
| Proven | 3 000 000 | 28.00 | 0.30 | 1.10 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 13.50 |
| Raglan | ||||||||
| Proven | 5 320 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.61 | n.a. | 2.11 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 6 260 000 | n.a. | n.a. | 0.86 | n.a. | 3.50 | n.a. | n.a. |
| Sigma-Lamaque | ||||||||
| Proven | 1 086 000 | n.a. | 4.69 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 2 070 000 | n.a. | 4.26 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Sleeping Giant | ||||||||
| Proven | 91 000 | n.a. | 8.90 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 96 000 | n.a. | 9.80 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| SASKATCHEWAN | ||||||||
| Seabee | ||||||||
| Proven | 1 967 053 | n.a. | 5.58 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| YUKON | ||||||||
| Minto | ||||||||
| Proven | 7 770 000 | 5.37 | 0.63 | 1.56 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Probable | 5 090 000 | 4.91 | 0.54 | 1.50 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Wolverine | ||||||||
| Proven | 536 690 | 245.05 | . . | 0.97 | n.a. | n.a. | 1.26 | 10.50 |
| Probable | 4 587 943 | 286.20 | 1.37 | 0.91 | n.a. | n.a. | 1.26 | 9.59 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports and the federal-provincial/territorial survey of mines and concentrators.
. . Not available in published reports; n.a. Not applicable; x Confidential.
Notes: One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons. One gram per tonne (g/t) = 0.02916668 troy oz per short ton.
| Metal | Unit (1) | N.L. | N.S. | N.B. | Que. | Ont. | Man. | Sask. | B.C. | Yukon | N.W.T. | Nun. | Canada (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 000 t | 433 | – | 28 | 266 | 2 599 | 321 | – | 6 854 | 245 | – | – | 10 747 |
| Nickel | 000 t | 623 | – | – | 331 | 1 606 | 514 | – | – | – | – | – | 3 074 |
| Lead | 000 t | – | – | 241 | 36 | 27 | – | – | 31 | 65 | – | – | 400 |
| Zinc | 000 t | 113 | – | 610 | 1 170 | 827 | 610 | – | 306 | 496 | – | – | 4 133 |
| Molybdenum | 000 t | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 254 | – | – | – | 254 |
| Silver | t | 60 | – | 714 | 1 174 | 1 970 | 385 | – | 1 102 | 1 511 | – | – | 6 916 |
| Gold | t | 6 | – | 1 | 574 | 623 | 52 | 11 | 83 | 15 | – | 108 | 1 473 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports and the federal-provincial/territorial survey of mines and concentrators.
– Nil or less than one unit.
(1) One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons = 32 150.746 troy oz. (2) May not balance due to rounding at the provincial or territorial level.
| Metal | Unit | Gold Mines |
Copper, Copper-Zinc Mines | Nickel-Copper Mines | Zinc-Lead-Silver Mines | Molybdenum Mines | Miscellaneous Metal Mines | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Code | n.a. | 212220 | 212233 | 212232 | 212231 | 212299 | 212299 | n.a. |
| Copper | 000 t | 96 | 7 849 | 2 726 | 75 | – | 1 | 10 747 |
| Nickel | 000 t | – | – | 3 073 | – | – | 1 | 3 074 |
| Lead | 000 t | 36 | 58 | – | 306 | – | – | 400 |
| Zinc | 000 t | 404 | 2 623 | – | 1 107 | – | – | 4 133 |
| Molybdenum | 000 t | – | 123 | – | – | 130 | – | 254 |
| Silver | t | 1 038 | 2 738 | 981 | 2 159 | – | – | 6 916 |
| Gold | t | 1 299 | 119 | 47 | 8 | – | – | 1 473 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports and the federal-provincial/territorial survey of mines and concentrators.
– Nil or less than one unit; n.a. Not applicable; NAICS North American Industry Classification System; t Tonnes.
Note: Molybdenum Mines and Miscellaneous Metal Mines have the same NAICS code.
| Year | Copper | Nickel | Lead | Zinc | Molybdenum | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (t) | (t) | |
| 1977 | 16 914 | 7 749 | 8 954 | 26 953 | 369 | 30 991 | 493 |
| 1978 | 16 184 | 7 843 | 8 930 | 26 721 | 464 | 30 995 | 505 |
| 1979 | 16 721 | 7 947 | 8 992 | 26 581 | 549 | 32 124 | 575 |
| 1980 | 16 714 | 8 348 | 9 637 | 27 742 | 551 | 33 804 | 826 |
| 1981 | 15 511 | 7 781 | 9 380 | 26 833 | 505 | 32 092 | 851 |
| 1982 | 16 889 | 7 546 | 9 139 | 26 216 | 469 | 31 204 | 833 |
| 1983 | 16 214 | 7 393 | 9 081 | 26 313 | 442 | 31 425 | 1 172 |
| 1984 | 15 530 | 7 191 | 9 180 | 26 000 | 361 | 30 757 | 1 208 |
| 1985 | 14 201 | 7 041 | 8 503 | 24 553 | 331 | 29 442 | 1 373 |
| 1986 | 12 918 | 6 780 | 7 599 | 22 936 | 312 | 25 914 | 1 507 |
| 1987 | 12 927 | 6 562 | 7 129 | 21 471 | 231 | 25 103 | 1 705 |
| 1988 | 12 485 | 6 286 | 6 811 | 20 710 | 208 | 26 122 | 1 801 |
| 1989 | 12 082 | 6 092 | 6 717 | 20 479 | 207 | 24 393 | 1 645 |
| 1990 | 11 261 | 5 776 | 5 643 | 17 847 | 198 | 20 102 | 1 542 |
| 1991 | 11 040 | 5 691 | 4 957 | 16 038 | 186 | 17 859 | 1 433 |
| 1992 | 10 755 | 5 605 | 4 328 | 14 584 | 163 | 15 974 | 1 345 |
| 1993 | 9 740 | 5 409 | 4 149 | 14 206 | 161 | 15 576 | 1 333 |
| 1994 | 9 533 | 5 334 | 3 861 | 14 514 | 148 | 19 146 | 1 513 |
| 1995 | 9 250 | 5 832 | 3 660 | 14 712 | 129 | 19 073 | 1 540 |
| 1996 | 9 667 | 5 623 | 3 450 | 13 660 | 144 | 18 911 | 1 724 |
| 1997 | 9 032 | 5 122 | 2 344 | 10 588 | 149 | 16 697 | 1 510 |
| 1998 | 8 402 | 5 683 | 1 845 | 10 159 | 121 | 15 738 | 1 415 |
| 1999 | 7 761 | 4 983 | 1 586 | 10 210 | 119 | 15 368 | 1 326 |
| 2000 | 7 419 | 4 782 | 1 315 | 8 876 | 97 | 13 919 | 1 142 |
| 2001 | 6 666 | 4 335 | 970 | 7 808 | 95 | 12 593 | 1 070 |
| 2002 | 6 774 | 4 920 | 872 | 6 871 | 82 | 11 230 | 1 023 |
| 2003 | 6 037 | 4 303 | 749 | 6 251 | 78 | 9 245 | 1 009 |
| 2004 | 5 546 | 3 846 | 667 | 5 299 | 80 | 6 568 | 787 |
| 2005 | 6 589 | 3 960 | 552 | 5 063 | 95 | 6 684 | 958 |
| 2006 | 6 923 | 3 940 | 737 | 6 055 | 101 | 6 873 | 1 032 |
| 2007 | 7 565 | 3 778 | 682 | 5 984 | 213 | 6 588 | 987 |
| 2008 | 7 456 | 3 605 | 534 | 5 005 | 222 | 5 665 | 947 |
| 2009 | 7 290 | 3 301 | 451 | 4 250 | 215 | 6 254 | 918 |
| 2010 | 10 747 | 3 074 | 400 | 4 133 | 254 | 6 916 | 1 473 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports and the federal-provincial/territorial survey of mines and concentrators.
(1) No allowance is made for losses in milling, smelting and refining. Excludes material classified as "resources." (2) Includes metal in mines where production has been suspended temporarily. (3) Excludes metal in placer deposits because reserves data are generally unavailable.
Note: One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons = 32 150.746 troy oz.
| Year | Copper | Nickel | Lead | Zinc | Molybdenum | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (000 t) | (t) | (t) | |
| 2008 | 3 061 | 673 | 256 | 1 730 | 250 | 1 683 | 477 |
| 2009 | 3 955 | 817 | 197 | 1 384 | 119 | 2 711 | 556 |
| 2010 | 2 376 | 385 | 200 | 1 460 | 40 | 3 224 | 653 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports.
(1) Excludes material classified as "reserves." (2) Includes metal in mines where production has been suspended temporarily. (3) Excludes metal in placer deposits because resources data are generally unavailable.
Notes: One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons = 32 150.746 troy oz. Vale S.A. does not report resources, so nickel, copper, silver, and gold may be under-reported.
| Metal | Unit | N.L. | N.S. | N.B. | Que. | Ont. | Man. | Sask. | B.C. | Yukon | N.W.T. | Nun. | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | |||||||||||||
| Copper | t | 2 369 | – | 12 800 | 202 703 | 534 788 | – | – | 2 078 436 | 230 000 | – | – | 3 061 096 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | – | 82 190 | 548 622 | 41 965 | – | – | – | – | – | 672 777 |
| Lead | t | – | – | 225 636 | 10 158 | 9 650 | – | – | 10 350 | – | – | – | 255 794 |
| Zinc | t | 7 015 | – | 484 481 | 812 666 | 283 380 | – | – | 142 869 | – | – | – | 1 730 411 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 249 570 | – | – | – | 249 570 |
| Silver | kg | 6 759 | – | 563 494 | 513 276 | 250 840 | – | 176 | 263 475 | 84 504 | – | – | 1 682 524 |
| Gold | kg | 94 | – | – | 147 567 | 224 593 | 1 971 | 6 096 | 40 652 | 8 332 | – | 47 645 | 476 950 |
| 2009 | |||||||||||||
| Copper | t | 7 500 | – | 11 000 | 77 567 | 683 649 | – | – | 2 913 615 | 261 238 | – | – | 3 954 569 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | – | 180 140 | 595 303 | 41 965 | – | – | – | – | – | 817 408 |
| Lead | t | – | – | 100 900 | 9 723 | 6 719 | – | – | 8 913 | 70 387 | – | – | 196 642 |
| Zinc | t | 14 200 | – | 268 800 | 198 526 | 232 952 | – | – | 128 251 | 541 457 | – | – | 1 384 186 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 119 011 | – | – | – | 119 011 |
| Silver | kg | 7 983 | – | 311 700 | 182 061 | 451 595 | – | 229 | 98 220 | 1 659 447 | – | – | 2 711 235 |
| Gold | kg | 57 | – | – | 75 751 | 300 148 | 3 333 | 6 442 | 51 945 | 14 897 | – | 103 032 | 555 605 |
| 2010 | |||||||||||||
| Copper | t | 7 500 | – | 7 400 | 75 194 | 294 781 | – | – | 1 529 021 | 462 121 | – | – | 2 376 017 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | – | 184 308 | 165 677 | 35 372 | – | – | – | – | – | 385 357 |
| Lead | t | – | – | 64 000 | 9 013 | 11 150 | – | – | 8 019 | 108 081 | – | – | 200 263 |
| Zinc | t | 14 200 | – | 161 700 | 320 459 | 276 930 | – | – | 119 190 | 567 522 | – | – | 1 460 001 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 39 807 | – | – | – | 39 807 |
| Silver | kg | 6 873 | – | 204 400 | 404 915 | 346 532 | – | – | 165 617 | 2 095 178 | – | – | 3 223 515 |
| Gold | kg | 45 | – | – | 172 948 | 385 665 | 1 036 | 3 840 | 24 062 | 22 599 | – | 43 086 | 653 281 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports.
– Nil or less than one unit.
(1) Excludes material classified as "reserves." (2) Includes metal in mines where production has been suspended temporarily. (3) Excludes metal in placer deposits because resources data are generally unavailable.
Notes: One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons = 32 150.746 troy oz. Vale S.A. does not report resources, so nickel, copper, silver, and gold may be under-reported.
| Metal | Unit (4) | Gold Mines | Copper, Copper-Zinc Mines | Nickel-Copper Mines | Zinc-Lead-Silver Mines | Molybdenum Mines | Miscellaneous Metal Mines | Canada (6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAICS Code (5) | 212220 | 212233 | 212232 | 212231 | 212299 | 212299 | n.a. | |
| (percent) | ||||||||
| 2008 | ||||||||
| Copper | t | 2.232 | 81.653 | 14.879 | 0.418 | – | 0.818 | 100 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | 95.289 | – | 4.711 | 100 | |
| Lead | t | 3.971 | 7.819 | – | 88.210 | – | – | 100 |
| Zinc | t | 5.687 | 66.315 | – | 27.998 | – | – | 100 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | 15.542 | – | – | 84.458 | – | 100 |
| Silver | kg | 12.414 | 54.095 | – | 33.491 | – | – | 100 |
| Gold | kg | 86.898 | 10.830 | 0.606 | – | – | 1.667 | 100 |
| 2009 | ||||||||
| Copper | t | 0.213 | 85.423 | 13.437 | 0.278 | – | 0.649 | 100 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | 96.142 | – | – | 3.858 | 100 |
| Lead | t | 4.945 | 43.744 | – | 51.312 | – | – | 100 |
| Zinc | t | 7.118 | 73.463 | – | 19.419 | – | – | 100 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | 50.367 | – | – | 49.633 | – | 100 |
| Silver | kg | 6.480 | 82.024 | – | 11.497 | – | – | 100 |
| Gold | kg | 86.040 | 12.152 | 0.365 | – | – | 1.443 | 100 |
| 2010 | ||||||||
| Copper | t | 0.350 | 87.645 | 8.634 | 2.494 | – | 0.877 | 100 |
| Nickel | t | – | – | 92.841 | – | – | 7.159 | 100 |
| Lead | t | 4.501 | 9.572 | – | 85.928 | – | – | 100 |
| Zinc | t | 6.458 | 43.595 | – | 49.947 | – | – | 100 |
| Molybdenum | t | – | 29.744 | – | – | 70.256 | – | 100 |
| Silver | kg | 5.626 | 27.471 | – | 66.904 | – | – | 100 |
| Gold | kg | 91.561 | 6.037 | 0.207 | 1.158 | – | 1.037 | 100 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, based on published company reports.
– Nil or less than one unit; n.a. Not applicable.
(1) Excludes material classified as "reserves." (2) Includes metal in mines where production has been suspended temporarily. (3) Excludes metal in placer deposits because resources data are generally unavailable. (4) One tonne (t) = 1.1023113 short tons = 32 150.746 troy oz. (5) NAICS = North American Industry Classification System. (6) May not balance due to rounding at the NAICS level.
| Status | Project | Operators and Major Partners | Province/Territory | Metals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rejuvenated | Bellekeno | Alexco Resources Corp. | Yukon | Silver |
| New | Bracemac-McLeod | Xstrata plc., Donner Metals Ltd. | Quebec | Copper, zinc |
| Rejuvenated | Canadian Malartic | Osisko Mining Corporation | Ontario | Gold |
| Rejuvenated | Copper Mountain | Copper Mountain Mining Corp. | British Columbia | Copper, gold |
| Re-opened | Franceour | Richmont Mines Inc. | Quebec | Gold |
| Re-opened | Holt | St. Andrew Goldfields Ltd. | Ontario | Gold |
| New | Mt. Milligan | Thompson Creek Metals Company | British Columbia | Copper, gold |
| Rejuvenated | New Afton | New Gold Inc. | British Columbia | Copper,gold |
| Re-opened | QR | Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. | British Columbia | Gold |
| Re-opened | Sigma-Lamaque | Century Mining Corp. | Quebec | Gold |
| Rejuvenated | Young-Davidson | Northgate Minerals Corp. | Ontario | Gold |
| n.a. | Fraser Morgan (1) | Xstrata plc. | Ontario | Nickel, copper |
| n.a. | Totten (1) | Vale | Ontario | Nickel, copper |
Source: Natural Resources Canada.
n.a. Not applicable.
(1) In 2009, these two mines were listed as opening in 2010; however, neither opened. Fraser Morgan is undergoing a feasibility study and Totten's production date has been moved back to 2012.
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2012
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