Billion-Dollar Provinces Dominate $62 Billion U.S. and Canada Metals & Minerals Planned Project Starts in 2012

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In the U.S. and Canada, Metals & Minerals Industry project development is approaching 2012 on high octane. Demand for resources has spurred on mining projects in Canada, enhancing its status as the world's leading resource country. To a lesser extent in the U.S., mining is experiencing good project levels, but permitting challenges continue to be a constraint. Improving demand for steel from the automotive sector and oil & gas developments has led to a number of new projects for U.S. steel manufacturers. These are the key drivers affecting the Metals & Minerals Industry going into 2012.

Looking at planned construction starts for U.S. and Canadian Metals & Minerals projects in 2012, there are 13 states/provinces that have more than $1 billion in projects planned to begin construction in 2012.

Click on the image at right to view a chart showing the breakdown of plant construction starts in 2012 for the Metals & Minerals Industry in the U.S. and Canada.

Together, these 13 states and provinces add up to 211 projects totaling more than $50 billion. Out of a total of $62 billion in Metals & Minerals Industry projects scheduled to begin construction in 2012, these 13 states and provinces account for 80% of the value of projects scheduled to begin construction during the year.

It may come as a surprise to some that British Columbia is at the top of the list, with 27 projects totaling $12.5 billion. Copper Fox Metals Incorporated (Calgary, Alberta) expects to complete a feasibility study on the Schaft Creek copper-gold mine in British Columbia. With a positive feasibility study, construction could begin on the $2.8 billion project in 2012 if necessary approvals are attained.

The first six states/provinces on the billion-dollar list are all Canadian provinces, which in addition to British Columbia include Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Quebec. The top U.S. state on the list is Nevada, which has 20 projects totaling $3.1 billion scheduled to begin construction in 2012.

For detailed project information see Industrial Info's Metals & Minerals Industry Database.

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