Production of most base metals down in January

Canadian production rates of primary nickel, silver, primary zinc, iron ore and salt increased in January 1997 over levels recorded in the same period of the previous year.

However, output of gold, copper, lead, asbestos and potash was down. The statistics shown below were compiled by Natural Resources Canada (NRC) nd are included in the January 1997 issue of Production of Canada’s Leading Minerals.

To order a copy, contact Jaqueline Paquette of NRC at (613) 992-9005.

NON-FERROUS	January 1997	January 1996
Refined copper	50,191 tonnes	51,340 tonnes
Primary copper	52,908 tonnes	53,014 tonnes
Primary nickel	15,819 tonnes	15,526 tonnes
Gold	12.4 million grams	12.9 million grams
Silver	101,131 kg	89,712 kg
Primary lead	15,412 tonnes	16,214 tonnes
Refined lead	15,254 tonnes	17,127 tonnes
Primary zinc	66,515 tonnes	61,521 tonnes
Refined zinc	61,542 tonnes	61,630 tonnes

FERROUSJanuary 1997January 1996

Iron ore1.7 million tonnes1.2 million tonnes

NON-METALLICSJanuary 1997January 1996

Salt1.3 million tonnes1 million tonnes

Asbestos38,474 tonnes45,768 tonne

Potash586,791 tonnes762,913 tonnes