The total value of minerals produced in Ontario in 1987 was estimated to be $5.7 billion, the highest such value recorded by the province and up 17.2% from 1986.
According to Ontario Mineral Score 1987, a publication of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Ontario accounts for 15.7% of the value of all Canadian mineral production. Excluding fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, that percentage figure jumps to 35%.
Metallic minerals accounted for 72.4% of the value of all minerals produced in the province last year (the other minerals being structural materials, non-metallics and fuels).
Topping the provincial list as largest income producer among minerals in 1987 was gold, with a total (preliminary) value of more than $1 billion. Nickel ($902.4 million), copper ($674.6 million) and uranium ($509.2 million) followed. The value of gold increased by 36.3% compared with 1986, nickel was up 23.4% and copper jumped 26.4%; uranium fell 10.1%.
Government statistics from 1986 indicate more than 33,000 people are directly employed in mining in Ontario, with another 50,000 people working in the metals fabricating industry.
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