
Today, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) released The Mining Story – Canadian Mining Industry Facts and Figures, a report that provides an overview of current trends in Canada’s mining sector based on the latest statistics and analysis.
The current state of mining and the Canadian economy is strong. In 2023, the sector contributed $117 billion, or 4% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). The mining sector encompasses extraction, mining services, primary metal and mineral manufacturing, and downstream metal and mineral manufacturing. When mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction are included, the sector’s contribution rises to 5.1% of GDP, a stable and significant share of Canada’s economy over the past decade, with Alberta’s mined oil sands playing a major role. There were 430,000 people employed in high-quality jobs within the sector, with an additional 281,000 in indirect employment—representing one in every 28 employees in the Canadian labour force. Notably, the minerals industry is an important employer of Indigenous peoples, providing jobs for more than 12,000 individuals in 2023.
“Despite some economic headwinds, mining has been a steady source of growth for the Canadian economy,” said Pierre Gratton, MAC’s President and CEO. “As Canada and its allies work to secure critical minerals to meet economic, security, and climate goals, these numbers show the wealth that could come to Canada if we develop our mineral endowment. But we cannot rest on our success—geopolitical challenges, national security concerns, the transition to a low-carbon economy and the basic need to build and sustain a strong economy in the face of tariffs will require far more mined materials than we currently produce. Canada’s mining sector is better positioned than most to withstand economic headwinds caused by tariffs, so now is the time to double down on attracting new investment into this important sector of the Canadian economy.”
Canada produces more than 60 minerals and metals through its mining activities. The total value of Canadian mineral production in 2023 was $71.9 billion, up from $58.6 billion in 2021. This growth was led by the increase in production values for nonmetals and coal. The total value of mineral and metal production has quadrupled since 2000. Canada is among the top producers of metals and non-metallic minerals in the world. It is the top producer of potash, second largest producer of niobium and uranium, and third largest producer of precious diamonds and palladium (by metal content).
Climbing commodity prices have boosted the value of gold, with the industry now surpassing passenger vehicles as Canada’s second largest export. Canada’s mineral product exports are reaching new records, driven largely by its gold production. The economy of the future depends on minerals and metals from Canada. To supply the resources that are needed, Canada must foster a more efficient investment and regulatory environment. In recent years, the mining sector has welcomed positive commitments from the federal government, including the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, Fall Economic Statements, and the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Budgets. These measures are encouraging—but the true test of success lies in the effective and efficient implementation of policies that accelerate the delivery of Canadian minerals and metals to global markets that are demanding them. The report includes the following recommendations to help achieve that goal.
Continued growth in the mining sector is critical for both the Canadian economy and the environment. A strong mining industry means safe, well-paid jobs for hundreds of thousands of people, and the production of minerals and metals with high environmental and high labour standards. Canada’s trading partners and allies will increasingly rely on us for a secure and stable supply of minerals and metals, and it is the responsibility of government and industry to work together to deliver the mined materials required for the green economy of the future.
For more information on MAC’s The Mining Story – Canadian Mining Industry Facts and Figure report, and its associated policy recommendations, visit: https://mining.ca/resources/reports/facts-figures-2025/
About MAC
The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal and mined oil sands, and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca.
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