Canadian Mineral Product Exports Hit Record High

According to a report by Mining.com, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has released a new report titled "The Mining Story 2025– Canadian Mining Industry Facts and Figures," which highlights the latest statistics and recommendations for sustainable growth.

The report indicates that Canada produces over 60 types of minerals and metals, with their value increasing from CAD 58.6 billion in 2021 to CAD 71.9 billion in 2023.

In 2023, the mining sector contributed CAD 117 billion, accounting for 4% of Canada's GDP. The sector includes smelting and refining, mining services, primary metal and mineral manufacturing, and downstream metal and mineral manufacturing.

Among these, smelting and refining contributed CAD 54.8 billion to GDP, mining services CAD 8.6 billion, primary metal/mineral manufacturing CAD 21 billion, and downstream metal/mineral manufacturing CAD 32.4 billion.

Including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas production, the sector's share of GDP rises to 5.1%, maintaining a stable and significant proportion over the past decade, with Alberta's oil sands extraction playing a crucial role, as found in the report.

The growth in production value is mainly attributed to non-metals and coal. Since 2000, the production value of minerals and metals has increased fivefold. Canada is one of the world's largest producers of metals and non-metallic minerals. It is the world's largest producer of potash, the second-largest producer of niobium and uranium, and the third-largest producer of diamonds and palladium (by production volume).

The report shows that rising mineral prices have increased the value of gold, which has surpassed passenger vehicles to become Canada's second-largest export commodity. Canadian mineral exports have reached a record high, primarily driven by gold.

MAC is confident that Canada's economic future depends on mineral and metal production.

Regulatory Efficiency

The report argues that "to supply the resources needed, Canada must create a more efficient investment and regulatory environment. In recent years, the mining industry has welcomed the federal government's positive commitments, including the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, the Fall Economic Statement, and the 2022, 2023, and 2024 budgets."

The association emphasizes that inefficient regulations have affected project execution.

"Of particular importance is coordination with the provinces, including strengthening substitute assessments (one project, one review), coordination within the federal government, and optimizing procedures for consultations with Indigenous peoples."

MAC points out that the true test of success lies in effectively and efficiently implementing policies to expedite the delivery of mineral and metal products to the markets that need them.

Oil and Gas Exports

Oil and gas account for a quarter of Canada's total exports, amounting to CAD 177 billion. In 2022, Canada was the world's third-largest exporter of crude oil, accounting for 9% of global exports. The country's crude oil production increased from 1.3 billion barrels in 2016 to 1.7 billion barrels in 2024.

Reports indicate that the majority of Canada's crude oil is exported, with the proportion rising from 86% in 2016 to 90% in 2024.

"Thanks to our excellent infrastructure and commercial networks, the US is the primary destination for Canadian crude oil exports, accounting for over 95% of our exports," the author stated.

"Despite facing some economic challenges, mining remains a stable driver of economic growth in Canada," said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). "As Canada and its allies strive to secure the supply of critical minerals needed for economic, security, and climate goals, these figures show that if we develop our own mineral resources, we can bring wealth to Canada."

Workforce Statistics

The mining industry provides 430,000 high-quality direct jobs and an additional 281,000 indirect jobs—meaning that one in every 28 jobs in Canada is in the mining sector.

Mining is also a major employer of Indigenous peoples, providing 12,000 jobs for Indigenous residents in 2023.

The report emphasizes that the mining industry will need to recruit over 100,000 new miners in the next decade. The industry can draw on its successful experience in hiring Indigenous employees but needs to increase the representation of women, young workers, and ethnic minorities to achieve a diverse Canadian workforce. MAC is confident that increasing the number of graduates from mining-related university and college programs will help train the next generation of mining workers.

However, Gratton warned that the country cannot take this for granted.

"Geopolitical challenges, national security concerns, the transition to a low-carbon economy, and the fundamental need to build and sustain a strong economy under tariff conditions will require significantly more mineral materials than we currently produce," Gratton said.

"The Canadian mining industry is better positioned than most to withstand the economic challenges posed by tariffs, so now is the time to redouble our efforts to attract new investment into this vital sector."