Value of Mineral Industry Increases

The number of mining-related jobs in Nova Scotia has increased in recent years, as has the amount of money being spent on exploration, says an update of the report on the Economic Impact of the Mineral Industry in Nova Scotia.

"This updated report confirms what the original report told us in 2006: that mining and mineral-related operations continue to play an important role in the rural economy of Nova Scotia," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "It is also clear that the province is benefitting economically from strong commodity prices and increased demand for metals and minerals."

The update was prepared by original report authors Gardner-Pinfold Consulting and Conestoga-Rovers and Associates. It includes information based on 2006 statistics. The original report's conclusions were based on 2002 statistics.

The 2008 document shows that 6,340 people had direct or spin-off jobs in the minerals industry in 2006, up from 5,260 in 2002. The contribution to Gross Domestic Product has also increased by about 20 per cent, to more than $488 million in 2006 from about $400 million in 2002.

A wide variety of processed mineral products are manufactured in Nova Scotia, including clay products, Portland cement, ready-mix concrete, brick and marble products, building stone and slate, gypsum wallboard and salt. The items with the highest primary production values continue to be gypsum, crushed stone and salt.

The study is available on the Department of Natural Resources website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/meb .