Facts and Figures

There are currently 36 active mining operations in the province that cover a diverse set of metals and minerals, including precious and base metals, and non-metallic minerals. 9 of these mines produce critical minerals, including cobalt, copper, indium, nickel, platinum group elements, selenium, tellurium, and zinc.

There are currently 30 significant exploration projects in Ontario.

Mining benefits all areas of the province, providing a broad scope of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. 

In 2023, Ontario’s mining sector produced $15.7 billion worth of minerals—a 50% increase over the past decade. The largest value metal produced was gold, at $6.5 billion, followed by nickel at $2.5 billion. Read about the economic contribution of mining to the province.  

The industry directly contributed $23.8 billion to to the province’s gross domestic product in 2023 (representing almost 3% of the total), with indirect contributions adding another $8 billion—a 35% increase. Capital investments totaled $5.2 billion, fueling job growth and economic prosperity.

Gold prices hit record highs of over $4,150 (CAD) or $2,900 (USD) per troy ounce in early 2025. Ontario produced almost 90 tonnes of gold in 2023, about 3% of global production. Gold reserves increased by 165% between 2000 and 2023.

Ontario produced $6.4 billion of critical minerals at nine mines and ten processing facilities in 2023. There are more than 25 advanced critical minerals projects that include processing, recycling and exploration.

Ontario exported $64 billion in mineral and metals products in 2023, including $42 billion to the United States. Ontario imported $77 billion in minerals and metals products, including $41 billion from the United States.

The broader mining sector employs almost 150,000 people in Ontario. The average compensation in mineral extraction is almost double the average for all industries, at $149,661 per year.

Between 2001 and 2023, average earning for the mining and quarrying industry grew by 79% while the average for the support activities for mining grew 97%.

The mining industry has a significantly higher Indigenous representation in its workforce at 12% in 2023-2024, compared to 3% across Ontario’s overall workforce.

The industry engages across 142 active agreements with Indigenous communities promoting shared economic value and community development. These include exploration and impact benefit agreements, and government resource revenue sharing.

Ontario’s mining industry creates an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for historically underrepresented groups. In 2016, 13% of workforce were women, 9% were of Indigenous Identities, and 6% were visible minorities. Almost 70% of OMA members reported that they have gender diversity and equity targets with respect to positions of authority.

More than $5 billion was spent to buy, build and upgrade mining assets in 2023.

There were 364,531 active mining claims in Ontario at the end of 2024 and exploration spend reached $976 million in 2023, representing 23% of total exploration spend across Canada.

Ontario is the leading global centre for mining finance. The Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange list 40% of the world’s publicly traded mining companies, with a combined market value of $603 billion at the end of 2024—more than triple their 2015 value.

As producers of minerals and metals that are key components in the clean energy transition, miners are also leaders in innovation and sustainability, adopting clean technologies at a rate well ahead of the all-industry standard, including pioneering the industrial use of autonomous trucks and battery-electric vehicles.

Ontario's leading-edge mine supply and service sector employs more than 40,000 people and Ontario produces more than $10 billion worth of mining supplies and services every year.

There are over 1,400 mining supply and service companies in Ontario.