Nickel shines in Ontario; gold is Quebec’s top value

In Quebec, the metal contributing the most in terms of value was gold. The mines sector of the Ministry of Energy and Resources reports that while provincial gold production in 1988 rose 10% to 32.5 million g, the value was the same as the previous year reflecting a lower average gold price.

While gold in Ontario two years ago was the value leader, nickel jumped in value by almost 140% to place it at the top in 1988.

The five major minerals in Ontario in terms of value last year were nickel ($2.2 billion), gold ($1 billion), copper ($824 million), zinc ($549 million) and uranium ($523 million). The total value of metallic minerals in 1988 totalled $5.5 billion; the province’s total value of mineral (metals, structural materials, non-metals and fuels) production amounted to $7.2 billion.

Production of copper in Quebec last year experienced a decline, dropping about 32% to 45,200 tonnes. High prices for the metal kept copper’s over-all value from falling too drastically. Zinc and silver output also decreased; a higher zinc price increased the metal’s total value.

The major minerals in Quebec last year in terms of value were gold ($563 million), asbestos ($190 million), copper ($145 million), zinc ($121 million) and silver ($30.3 million). No value figure is provided for the 15.7 million tonnes of iron ore produced last year. The total provincial value of mineral production last year was $2.7 billion.

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