The report finds that to date, the mining industry advances the concept of best practice only in the environmental area. The concept is implied in the code of the Mining Association of Canada - the first national code in the world. Canada leads the world in mineral exploration, and is a leading supplier of capital to the international mining industry. Alcan Aluminum Ltd, Inco Ltd, and Noranda Inc. are Canada's three top minerals firms and among the top 10 operators globally.
Mining has an undeniable environmental, social, and economic impact.
The report also contains more than 40 pages of statistics charting the ebb and flow of money, goods, and people between Canada and the South. The North-South Institute provides research and information on foreign policy issues for policymakers, interested groups, and the general public.