Mineral exploration and production values and commodities
Learn more about our mining exploration and production activities and commodities.
Mineral exploration values
Highlights
Ontario is a world-class mining jurisdiction and is among the top 10 jurisdictions in the world for mineral exploration spending. Ontario is one of the leading producers of gold, copper, nickel and platinum group elements.
In 2022, gold was the most sought-after mineral in Ontario, with exploration spending of $659 million totaling 67% of the province’s total exploration spending.
Exploration spending in 2022
| Location | Exploration spending ($ million) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Off mine site | 762 | 77 |
| On mine site | 228 | 23 |
| Total | 989 | 100 |
Exploration spending by mineral, including critical minerals
Ontario is well-positioned to be a global supplier of critical minerals with its vast supply of minerals, processing capabilities and world-class mining supply and services sector.
| Mineral | Exploration spending ($ million) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 659 | 67 |
| Base metals | 219 | 22 |
| Other critical minerals (PGE, Li, Co, etc. | 108 | 11 |
| Other non-critical minerals (Ag, Fe, diamond, etc. | 3 | >1 |
| Total | 989 | 100 |
Note: Data has been aggregated to preserve confidentiality, numbers may not add up due to rounding.
Source: Natural Resources Canada
Mining lands activity
As of December 31, 2022, there were 344,826 active mining claims in Ontario.
You can acquire and register mining claims, obtain or renew a prospector’s licence and maintain your mining lands online 24/7 through the Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS).
World’s largest mining capital market: TSX & TSX-V
Toronto, Ontario is the mining finance capital of the world.
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V) list more mining companies than any other exchange with over 1,150 listed in 2022. The Toronto Stock Exchange and Toronto Venture Exchange are first among exchanges worldwide in equity capital raised and are home to about 40% of the public mining companies in the world.
Mineral production values
Highlights
Ontario is one of Canada’s top mineral producers, generating $13.5 billion worth of minerals in 2022 – representing 22% of Canada’s total mineral production value.
Gold production in Ontario
Valued at $5.4 billion, Ontario produced 3.9 million troy ounces of gold in 2022.
Gold production in Canada
In 2022, 41% of Canada’s total gold production value came from Ontario.
Critical mineral production and exploration
Chromite
The Ring of Fire, in the Far North of Ontario, has the second largest chromite deposit globally in terms of tonnes of ore resources.
Cobalt
In 2022, Ontario produced an estimated 1,235 tonnes of by-product cobalt worth approximately $96 million, making up 36% of Canada’s cobalt production.
Copper
Copper produced in Ontario in 2022 totaled 32% of Canada’s copper production by value, with 160,030 tonnes valued at $1,926 million.
Graphite
Ontario has several active graphite exploration programs.
Lithium
Ontario has several hard-rock lithium deposits that are being actively explored in the hopes of eventually supplying raw materials for electric vehicle batteries.
Nickel
In 2022, Ontario produced 71,277 tonnes of nickel valued at $1,883 million (45% of Canada’s nickel production by value).
Platinum Group Elements (PGE)
In 2022, Ontario produced 77% of Canada’s PGE
Vanadium
Ontario has vanadium exploration potential in southeastern Ontario.
Chromite
Highlights
Chromite is the major ore mineral of chromium.
Chromium is the stainless in stainless steel and is used in many manufacturing processes because of its resistance to rust, shiny appearance and very high melting point.
Current estimates suggest the Ring of Fire has multi-generational potential of chromite production and significant potential production of nickel, copper and platinum.
Map of chromite occurrences in Ontario
| Location | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Blackbird 1 and 2 |
| 2 | Black Horse |
| 3 | Big Daddy Chromite |
| 4 | Black Creek |
| 5 | Black Thor |
| 6 | Black Label |
| 7 | Chrome Lake Mine |
Cobalt
Highlights
An estimated 1,235 tonnes of by-product cobalt worth $96 million were produced in Ontario in 2022 amounting to 36% of Canada’s cobalt production by value.
116,527 tonnes of cobalt have been produced in Ontario between 1904 and 2022.
Cobalt is a critical element in lithium-ion batteries and other clean technologies. Demand for this strategic commodity is expected to increase in the coming years as the market for electric vehicles grows.
The town of Cobalt, Ontario, known for its significant historical silver and cobalt production, is a national heritage site and is considered the birthplace of Canadian hard-rock mining.
Map of cobalt occurrences in Ontario
| Location number | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Werner Lake Cobalt |
| 2 | Nicobat Project |
| 3 | Steepledge Lake |
| 4 | VW Deposit |
| 5 | B4-7 Deposit |
| 6 | Norton Lake Cu-Ni-PGE Deposit |
| 7 | Hollinger Zone |
| 8 | Dundonald South Deposit |
| 9 | Edison |
| 10 | Northland Pyrites Mine |
| C | Cobalt-Gowganda Camp |
| S | Sudbury |
| M | Montcalm Mine |
| SM | Shebandowan Inco Mine |
| R | Redstone & McWatters Mines |
| L | Lac des Iles |
Gold
Highlights
Gold is the most sought-after mineral in Ontario, topping the charts with exploration spending of $659 million or 67% of the province’s total exploration spending in 2022.
In 2022, 3.9 million troy ounces of gold valued at $5.4 billion were produced in Ontario totaling 41% of Canada’s gold production by value.
Ontario is home to 16 producing gold mines and 13 significant gold exploration projects.
With more than 30 mineral deposits each having more than 500,000 troy ounces of gold (measured and indicated resources inclusive of reserves) located in traditional camps and beyond, Ontario has plenty of resources for the future.
Map of gold occurrences in Ontario
Graphite
Highlights
Ontario has several advanced exploration projects and active graphite exploration programs.
The Black Donald Mine, located approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Ottawa, produced 77,000 tonnes of graphite between 1896 and 1954 which is approximately 75% of Ontario’s graphite production to date.
Graphite has been used traditionally in high-temperature lubricants, electrical motors and batteries. New uses are being discovered for graphite including lithium-ion batteries, solar power and electric vehicles.
Demand for this strategic commodity is expected to increase as the market for batteries to power electric vehicles and other clean technologies grows.
Map of graphite occurrences in Ontario
| Map Number | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Albany Graphite Deposit |
| 2 | Kearney Graphite Mine |
| 3 | Bissett Creek Graphite Project |
| 4 | National Graphite Ltd. |
| 5 | Beidelman and Lyall Property |
| 6 | Black Donald Mine |
| 7 | Meadow Lake Zone |
| 8 | Stewart Lake |
| 9 | N. A. Timmins Mine |
| 10 | Globe Graphite Mine |
| 11 | Portland Graphite |
Lithium
Highlights
Lithium is found in most battery-operated items, such as smartphones, portable computers and electric vehicles.
Lithium is also used in glass and ceramics to increase strength and durability, especially at high temperatures.
Demand for this strategic commodity is expected to increase in the coming years as the market for batteries that power electric vehicles and other clean technologies grows.
Ontario has hard-rock lithium deposits that are being explored actively.
Map of lithium occurrences in Ontario
| Map number | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Big Mack |
| 1 | Separation Rapids |
| 2 | Spark Pegmatite |
| 2 | PAK Lithium Project |
| 3 | Mavis Lake |
| 4 | Wisa Lake North Zone |
| 5 | International Lithium |
| 6 | McCombe |
| 7 | Rubellite Dike |
| 7 | Pollucite Dike |
| 8 | Jackpot |
| 8 | Brink |
| 8 | Conway |
| 8 | Parole |
| 8 | Line 60 Lithium |
| 8 | Nama Creek MZN |
| 8 | Vegan |
| 8 | Nama Creek MZSW |
| 8 | McVittie |
| 8 | West Dyke |
| 8 | MNW |
| 9 | North Aubry |
| 9 | South Aubry |
Nickel, copper, platinum group elements (Ni-Cu-PGE)
Nickel (Ni)
In 2022, 71,277 tonnes of nickel valued at $1,883 million were produced in Ontario, amounting to 45% of Canada’s nickel production by value.
Nickel is an important metal used in the manufacturing of stainless steel, high-strength alloys, aerospace components and construction materials.
Copper (Cu)
Copper produced in Ontario in 2022 totaled 160,030 tonnes valued at $1,926 million, amounting to 32% of Canada’s copper production by value.
The average home contains approximately 181.4 kilograms of copper that is used for electrical wiring, pipes and appliances.
Platinum Group Elements (PGE)
PGE include platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir) and osmium (Os).
In 2022, 547,232 troy ounces of PGE valued at $1,644 million were produced in Ontario, totaling 77% of Canada’s PGE production by value.
Platinum and palladium are essential elements in the production of catalytic converters, medical and dental equipment, as well as jewelry.
Map of nickel, copper, platinum group elements occurrences in Ontario
| Location | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thierry Mine |
| 2 | Shebandowan (INCO Mine) |
| 3 | Lac des Iles Mine |
| 4 | Montcalm Mine |
| 5 | Redstone Mine |
| 6 | Texmont Mine |
| 7 | Alexo Mine |
| 8 | McWatters Mine |
| 9 | Langmuir Mine |
| 10 | Temagami Copper Mine |
| 11 | Kanichee Mine |
| 12 | Keeley-Frontier Mine |
| S | Sudbury Camp |
Vanadium
Highlights
Vanadium is used in the production of steel to add strength and heat resistance. Approximately 80% of all vanadium produced goes into making steel. Ontario has hard-rock vanadium deposits that are being actively explored.
Demand for this strategic commodity is expected to increase in the coming years. This is due to the market growth for liquid vanadium redox-flow batteries that can store large amounts of power generated by solar and wind farms and other clean technologies.
Map of vanadium occurrences in Ontario
| Location | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brazeau Prospect |
| 2 | Titan Property |
Contact us
For more information about Ontario’s mineral resources:
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Base metals include: copper, nickel and zinc.
- footnote[2] Back to paragraph Other critical minerals include the remaining minerals on the Ontario critical minerals list.
- footnote[3] Back to paragraph Other non-critical minerals excludes gold and all other minerals on the Ontario critical minerals list.