Iron Ore Mining in Canada: 12 Facts & Statistics

Canadian Iron Ore Mining: 12 Facts

#1 - Canada was the eighth-largest producer of iron ore in the world in 2023 ^[1]

#2 – Canada is home to the world’s sixth-largest iron ore reserves, at an estimated 6 billion tonnes – accounting for 3.2% of global reserves ^[1]

#3 - Nearly 6,850 people are directly employed by iron ore mining in Canada ^[3]

#4 - Canadian mine production of iron ore in concentrate and pellets reached 59.4 million tonnes in 2023, a 9% decline year-over-year ^[1]

#5 - Canadian steel production was approximately 12 million tonnes in 2023, no significant change year-over-year ^[1]

#6 - Canada exported an estimated 58.2 million tonnes of iron ore in 2023, valued at $8.9 billion, compared to 55.1 million tonnes worth $8.7 billion in 2022 ^[1]

#7 – Iron ore is the fifth most valuable mineral and metal mining subsector, with production valued at $5.866 billion in 2022 ^[2]

#8 – The value of iron ore produced in Canada has grown from $5.348 billion in 2013 to 5.866 billion in 2022, an increase of approximately 10% ^[2]

#9 – Iron and steel were Canada’s top mineral export in 2022, valued together at $22.9 billion ^[2]

#10 – Canada’s top mineral export in 2022 was also iron and steel, valued at $36.3 billion – making it a net importer of such products ^[2]

#11 – Canada’s largest metal and mineral export to Europe in 2022 was iron ore, valued at $3 billion, while its imports from the EU totalled $3.9 billion ^[2]

#12 – Canada’s top iron ore export destinations include China, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and the United States ^[4]

History of Iron Ore Mining in Canada

Iron ore mine in Canada - Rio Tinto

Iron ore, copper and coal were some of the first minerals mined in Canada. Iron smelting and casting was Canada’s first industry, but European settlers weren’t the only ones using the material ^[5]. Before the Europeans established settlements in Canada, evidence suggests the Inuit exploited iron meteorites for the metal ^[5].

In the 1200s, at the Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows, local bog iron was roasted and wrought to make nails for shipbuilding ^[5].

In 1670, deposits of bog iron were found near Trois-Rivières, Québec. By the 1740s, a leading ironworks company was producing various iron-made goods such as pots, stoves, kettles, bullets and cannons ^[5].

Les Forges Saint-Maurice (St. Maurice Forges) was Canada’s first heavy industry. The Trois-Rivieres iron deposits were developed with the help of monopoly grants and state subsidies and began producing iron in 1738 ^[5].

Today, Canada has a flourishing iron ore industry with most jobs and export sectors found in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. Nunavut is home to one iron ore mine, which also contributes to the sector’s significant economic impact for Canadians.

Largest Iron Ore Mines in Canada

Canada is home to several iron ore mines. Canada’s top five largest iron ore mines in 2023 were (along with production, in million tonnes per annum – or mtpa) ^[6]:

• Bloom Lake – Quebec –  39.6 mtpa
• Mont Wright – Quebec – 21.6 mtpa
• Carol Lake – Newfoundland & Labrador – 17.9 mtpa
• Mary River – Nunavut – 5.95 mtpa
• Scully Mine – Newfoundland & Labrador – 3.56 mtpa

What is Iron Ore Used For?

Iron ore is almost entirely used for making steel (98% of production), which is then used as a material in various industries across the economy, including ^[1]:

Energy Infrastructure – Without iron ore, we could not make the steel required to manufacture wind turbines, electricity pylons, hydro dams, nuclear power plants, refineries and so forth

Household Appliances – Ovens, washing machines, fridges, dishwashers, hood fans, furnaces and other household appliances all use steel made from iron ore

Construction – bridges, buildings and other infrastructure around the world are built using steel that’s made from iron ore

Transportation – Planes, trains, ships, semi-trucks, cars, EVs, ATVs, motorbikes and bicycles are just some of the methods of transport that utilize steel, also made from iron ore

Join Us Today!

Join us today to learn more about Canada’s mining sector and the hundreds of thousands of families who rely on the industry to make ends meet.

Canada produces nearly a third of the world’s potash supply.

Potash production is critically important for future food security as the global population continues to increase, with farmers around the world relying on potash to improve crop yields. https://t.co/fhDkMiDDM6

— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) April 13, 2025

SOURCES:

_{1 - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/minerals-mining/mining-data-statistics-analysis/minerals-metals-facts/iron-ore-facts}

_{2 - https://mining.ca/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/06/Facts-and-Figures-2023-FINAL-DIGITAL.pdf}

_{3 - https://www.ibisworld.com/canada/industry/iron-ore-mining/113/}

_{4 - https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/iron-ore/reporter/can}

_{5 - https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/iron-ore}

_{6 - https://www.mining-technology.com/marketdata/five-largest-iron-ore-mines-canada/}