Overview
In 2024, Canada was one of the world’s leading producers of mineral commodities and produced a diverse range of metals, industrial minerals, and mineral fuels. In 2024, Canada was the world’s leading producer of potash (31% of world output); the second-ranked producer of uranium (24%), natural gem-quality diamond (19%), and niobium (6%); the third-ranked producer of palladium (8%) and refined cadmium (6%); the fourth-ranked producer of rough diamonds (12% by volume and 11% by value), gold (6%), aluminum (5%), indium (4%), nickel (3%), platinum (3%), and wollastonite (3%); the fifth-ranked producer of selenium (4%, not including United States production) and tellurium (3%, not including United States production); and the sixth-ranked producer of peat (10%), sulfur (6%), ilmenite (4%), mica (4%, tied with France and India), salt (4%), and cobalt (1%). Global output percentages cited above reflect reported figures, though select percentages are estimated based on the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries. Canada was also a globally significant producer of several other mineral commodities such as alumina, ammonia, mined copper, refined copper, ferrosilicon, graphite (natural), gypsum, iron ore (gross weight and Fe content), lime, lithium, magnesite, molybdenum, industrial sand and gravel, silicon metal, silver, and talc and pyrophyllite.
In 2024, Canada’s mineral sector contributed \$114 billion to the national nominal gross domestic product (5%) and supported 724,000 jobs. Canada’s mineral exports increased by 2% to \$112 billion in 2024, led by gold (\$29.1 billion) and iron and steel (\$14.6 billion). The United States continued to be the leading trade partner for Canadian mineral exports in 2024, accounting for 52% share of Canada’s total mineral exports by value. Mineral exploration spending decreased 4% to \$3.0 billion. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Canada is primarily provided by Provincial and Territorial mining acts. Natural Resources Canada, in coordination with Provincial and Territorial ministries of natural resources, oversees the mineral sector and provides administrative, technical, policy, and regulatory services. Canada's mineral production relied on highly mechanized, large-scale commercial operations governed by strict industrial safety and environmental regulations. Most mineral commodities were produced by private companies, ranging from major multinational corporations to junior exploration companies.
