The Kusko times., 1934-10-27
Minerals Assist Canadians Fidht
 On Depzc cssion
(By H. c. PARMLEE in Engineer.
 ing and Mining JOurnaD


 recovery is unquestionably being led Dy Jne metal-mining industry. Con ilrIAl.Jion of this statement was amp y afforded by a recent visit to the principal mining areas in the south g1n provinces, where the activity in ail. ng is in marked contrast to the depressed or dormant state of other industries in the Dominion. Lacking the facilities of extended travel, one could gain the same impression by studying the statistical abstract of Canadian industries, which reveals the upward trend of mining activiy n the midst of economic depression. In national economy predominan5ly agricultural, Canadian mining as .sun1es a position of leadership.
 Most important is the production of god, nickel, and copper in the great pre-Cambrian shield, compris- ing an area of about one million square miles surrounding Hudson Bay on the East, South, and West. The most remarkable series, of dis coveries in the recent history of Canadian mining has been made in this geological formation. Begin ming with finding of spectacular silver deposits at Cobalt in 19O3, subsequent discoveries of gold at Porcupine and Kirkland Lake gave Ontario it's present premier position n mining among the provinces. The carrier discoveries of nickeI-copper deposits at Sudbury are world-tanl- ous, enabling Canada to produce 90 per cent of the worlds supply of nickel.
 In the meantime the Canadian shield has yielded mineral wealth in provinces other than Ontario. At Fin Flon, in northern Manitoba, large bodies of gold-zinc-copper ore have been developed. In the Rouyn district of Quebec, almost due east of Kirkland Lake, are the Noranda and Siscoe gold deposits. Finnally in the Mackenzie district of the Northwest Territories, pitch blende-silver ores have been dscov- cred at Great Bear Lake. These widely distibuted mineral deposits are not only contributing to Can ada's economic recovery, but they lend support to the belief of geol- ogists that the Pre-Cambrian shield holds wealth of undiscovered min
 raIs that will further enrich the Dominion.
 In British Columbia, formerly the premier mining province of Canada, mining still holds an important posi- tion. In fact it is relatively more important in the economy of that province than of Ontario. Its metal resources are varied, yielding lead and zinc in addition to gold and silver. Metallurgy has reached a high pitch of perfection in the mill ing, smelting, and refining of lead zinc ores by the Consolidated Min ing & Smelling Company. Here also is an important unit of Canada's chemical industry producing ammo nium sulphate and phosphate fertil- izers, based on the utilization of roaster gas to make salphrric acid.
 The record is an imposing one. A wealth of mineral resources. not without knotty technical problems, has been matched by the skill of Canadian technologists, Nor is, the future left to take care of itself. An army of prospectors, estimated ct 18,000 is in the bush this season, lured by the hope of mineral dis coyery. Whatever their success, it will rebound to the credit of the mining industry as the mosta potent the Dominion