Gold Mining in Canada

Though not a very widely known fact and perhaps not even much highlighted by the geography books, Canada is home to one of the worlds’ most prolific gold and base metal regions internationally. This area is known as Abitibi and is found in north-western Quebec. Interestingly this enviable location was in fact where gold was first discovered in Canada in the year1823.
 
As one of the worlds’ top gold producers, as well as being ranked fourth in the overall ratings worldwide, Canada lies behind South Africa, the United States of America and Australia in position. Another very notable fact is that the cost of actually producing gold in Canada is among one of the lowest in the world. This is owing to the fact that very nearly 90 percent of its gold mines are situated underground.
 
Possibly as a direct result of this positive cost factor several globally renowned mining companies have ongoing operations in Canada, and these are amongst the foremost in the world.  Names that gold lovers will be familiar with are Placer Dome, Kinross Gold, Newmer and Mirama. The proud owners of one of Canada’s oldest and most profitable gold mines known as the ‘Dome’, Placer Dome has operated the venture since the year nineteen hundred and ten. Here we find a clear century of unbroken production – a commendable record.
 
Although the low price of gold and its general state of ongoing depletion has sadly resulted in the closure of a few mines over the past few years, Canada still can boast over 30 mines in operation which are producing significant quantities of gold. Statistics show that roughly ninety two percent of the gold produced in Canada actually comes from Gold mines, whilst the balance comes from base-metal and placer mines.
 
Ontario is Canada’s main gold production area, accounting for approximately fifty percent of its total national production. This amazing quantity is produced mainly from five primary mines in the area. A vast number of people in Canada depend on the gold mining industry as a whole for sustainability and livelihood, borne out by the fact that figures indicate approximately four percent of Canada’s GDP consisting of income from this industry.
 
Mining of all forms in Canada is protected by legislature and governance covering an array of facets starting with environmental and health hazard issues to economic development and sustainability, and continuing to personal health regulations and industry worker concerns and considerations. The gold mining industry is considered no different from other more common forms of employment and is as such protected by associations, organizations and communities of workers.
 
Although the mining industry in Canada is currently booming, global economic trends as well as local issues, such as a lack of skilled labour are real concerns for its sustainability. Other issues of concern are the ever increasing social demands in relation to the environmental impact of the industry, as well as a possible decrease in demand, stemming from a worldwide downturn both political and economical.
 

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