• 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 32 significant exploration projects in Ontario, with the majority focused on critical minerals.
  • Ontario is one of the safest mining jurisdictions in the world and mining is one of the safest industries in Ontario. In the 35 years from 1975 to 2010, the Ontario mining industry achieved a 96% improvement in lost time injury frequency and, today, performs better than the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) industry average (public and private sector).
  • 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, which accounted for 26% of Canada’s total production value. Read about the economic contribution of mining to the province.  
  • In 2023, mining in Ontario directly contributed an estimated annual total of $13.8 billion to gross domestic product (GDP), $3.3 billion in wages and salaries.
  • Mining in Ontario supports approximately 31,000 jobs directly and 46,000 jobs associated with mineral processing and mining supply and services.
  • Approximately 77% of Ontario’s mining company GDP contributions stay inside Ontario.
  • In 2019, Ontario’s mining companies sourced 44% of supplies, materials, and services from local regions.
  • In 2023, mining direct  employment in Ontario totaled approximately 31,000, with approximately $4.4 billion paid in total worker compensation.
  • Ontario’s mining sector has one of the highest proportions of Indigenous workers of all industries in the province, at 12% in 2023, more than four times the percentage of the province's population that identifies as Indigenous according to the 2021 census data.
  • As of 2020, there are 142 active agreements in place between Indigenous communities and mining companies in Ontario that formalize mutually beneficial relationships.
  • The average weekly wage in the Ontario for mining and quarrying jobs is over 65% higher than the average industrial wage in the province, with mining and quarrying workers earning $2,032 weekly in 2023.
  • 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%.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • As producers of minerals and metals that are key components in the clean energy transition, mining companies across the province also adhere to the highest environmental standards in energy conservation, carbon emission reduction, and adoption of clean technologies.
  • Over three-quarters of Ontario’s mining companies participate in carbon pricing schemes that aim to lower GHG emissions and spur innovation
  • 82% of Ontario’s senior mining companies have established carbon emission reduction goals and 64% have energy management targets.
  • Ontario mining companies adopted clean technologies at a rate of almost 14% above the Ontario industry average.
  • In 2023, $952 million was invested in mineral exploration in Ontario. 
  • Toronto 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 1,100 listed in 2023. The TSX and TSX-V are first among exchanges worldwide in equity capital raised and are home to about 40% of the public mining companies in the world.

Learn about the country-wide impact of mining from the Mining Association of Canada and Natural Resources Canada, including NRCan's 10 KEY FACTS on the Minerals and Metals Sector.