North America is the home two of the world’s largest mining countries,
the USA and Canada. The USA dominates with the value of raw mineral production
valued at US$ 125 billion in 1998. A third of the USA’s production is
sourced from non-crude petroleum and gas minerals. Canadian mining (excluding
crude petroleum and gas) accounted for 3.7% of Canada’s GDP. Mexico’s
mining sector had a tough year in 1999 with the industry knocked by the
metals’ price slump and the Asian economic crises.
Of major significance was the opening of North America’s first diamond
mine, the Ekati Mine in North Western Territories in Canada. The mine, at full
production will produce 3million carats/year, approx. 10% of world production.
Final feasibility studies for another diamond producer in Canada are nearly
complete and awaiting the necessary environmental permissions.
Greenland has recently seen increased exploration activities, in particular
diamond exploration. However, there are no major producing mines.
