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, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication.

Facts & Figures 2008 provides details on the production, reserves, exploration, trade and investment, innovation, tax, and human resource aspects of the industry.

Facts and Figures 2008 underscores the importance of the industry to Canada’s economy - the sector contributed $42 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2007, employing 363,000 workers in mineral extraction, smelting, fabrication and manufacturing, and providing business to over 3000 companies supplying engineering, geotechnical, environmental, financial and other expertise.

While the industry is important in small communities, it also generates prosperity in our larger cities - Toronto (finance), Vancouver (exploration), Montreal (aluminum, iron ore), Edmonton (oil sands) and Saskatoon (uranium, potash) have all emerged as global mining centres. The industry is the largest private employer of Aboriginal Canadians with potential to further increase this relationship. The industry is also an important contributor to government coffers - paying over $10 billion in taxes and royalties to federal and provincial/territorial governments in 2006.

Facts & Figures 2008 also highlights a number of the trends, issues and challenges facing the industry, as well as recommended changes and improvements to public policy. In particular:

The Canadian industry faces competitiveness challenges, both at the raw materials and value-added processing stage. These include declining levels of Canadian reserves, increasing costs, and inefficient and duplicative project review processes.

The importance of tax measures that could help extend the reserve life of existing mines, enhance the raw material supply chains for value-added facilities and encourage capital investment in efficient companies and facilities.

The need for a Federal climate change plan that is effective, efficient and synchronized, and the need for project review processes that are timely, consistent and fair.

Strategic federal investments in human resources, skills, and infrastructure are needed to support the long-term prospects and vibrancy of the industry.

Governments need to implement a clear path forward on consultation and accommodation of First Nations, efficient resolution of First Nation land claims and a strategy to encourage Aboriginal participation in mining.

“Minerals and metals help build the products and infrastructure essential to modern life. This output is also fundamental to the emergence of clean energy technologies such as hybrid vehicles and lightweight materials,” said Gordon R. Peeling, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada.

“Facts & Figures 2008 provides an excellent overview of the issues, challenges
and activities of the Canadian mining industry - in Canada and abroad”.

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