In December 2000, Canada’s production of gold, silver, primary copper, primary lead, asbestos and salt increased over levels reported for the last month of 1999.
The increase is reported in Production of Canada’s Leading Minerals, published monthly by the Department of Natural Resources.
Gold production leapt 11% to 13.5 million grams in December 2000 from 12.2 million grams a year earlier. Production of silver increased by 37% to 121,874 kg from 89,139 kg.
Primary copper production climbed 10% to 56,949 from 51,593 tonnes, while primary lead crept up 1% to 9,903 tonnes from 9,757 tonnes.
The report also notes that Canadian shipments of salt and salt content of brine increased by 29% to 1.47 million tonnes in December 2000 from 1.14 million tonnes a year earlier. Shipments of asbestos rose 2% to 28,722 tonnes from 28,035.
On the down side, production of nickel, zinc, refined copper, refined lead and potash decreased from year-ago levels.
Refined copper production decreased by 7% to 49,237 tonnes from 52,750 in December 1999, and primary nickel fell 3% to 13,889 tonnes from 14,303 tonnes.
Production of refined lead was 13,429 tonnes, compared with 14,833 tonnes, whereas production of primary zinc was 57,707 tonnes, compared with 62,539 tonnes in December 1999. Production of refined zinc slid 7% to 58,388 tonnes from 63,088 tonnes.
Canadian mines shipped 2.21 million tonnes of iron ore in December 2000, compared with 3.19 million a year earlier.
Shipments of potash dropped 21% to 496,003 tonnes from 631,133 tonnes.
The report is available on the Internet at nrcan.gc.ca/mms/efab/data
Be the first to comment on "Canadian gold output rises"