Trade in the mining and mineral processing industry continues to have a strong impact on Canada's international trade position, accounting for 18.7 percent of total exports and 15.4 percent of total imports in 2007, says a new report from Natural Resources Canada. The mineral trade surplus soared to US$20.5 billion in 2007, marking a 67.3 percent increase from 2006.

Exports and imports increased in each of the past five years. In 2007, the value of Canada's total exports for the mining and mineral processing industry increased 12.6 percent to US$80.5 billion, while the value of imports rose 1.2 percent to US$60.0 billion. The United States continues to be Canada's leading trading partner, accounting for over 58.0 percent of both exports and imports.

Diamonds were one of the top three exports of nonmetallic products at US$1.9 billion.

The majority of Canada's 2007 mineral trade flowed to and from Ontario and Quebec. Ontario and Quebec accounted for 45.8 percent and 22.9 percent of total exports in mining and mineral processing products and for 58.5 percent and 18.3 percent of total imports. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba accounted for 25.5 percent  of exports and 21.4 percent of imports. Exports of mining and mineral processing products represented a significant portion of exports for most provinces and territories, accounting for almost all exports from the Northwest Territories and for 76.1 percent of those from the Yukon.