This guide provides selected resources about mining as an industry, not mining engineering. Topics include terminology, stages of developing a mine, financing, companies, and aboriginal, environmental and societal issues.
Iron & steel is the largest segment, accounting for 64.1% of the global industry's total value. Asia-Pacific accounts for 65.1% of global value. The industry is strongly affected by commodity prices and cyclical economic swings. (Source: Global Metals & Mining Industry, Business Source Ultimate)
California Dept. of Conservation |
In Canada, the combined TSXV and TSX are the world's leading stock exchange for mining companies. The industry employs 308,000 workers in mineral extraction and in value-added smelting, fabrication, and manufacturing areas. The industry’s $36 billion contribution to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2010 included $8 billion in mineral extraction and $28 billion in mineral processing and manufacturing. (Source: Mining Association of Canada)
Mineral exploration and mining are important economic drivers for British Columbia.