Ontario's Gold and Copper Mine Maps Reveal Overlap with Agriculture and Forestry

Ontario hosts more than 40 active gold and copper mines that together cover over 2 million hectares of land. Studies show that over 60 % of these mineral sites lie within 10 km of agricultural or forestry zones, creating direct intersections between resource extraction and farming, timber production, and water resources.

Key mineral belts such as the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Wawa Subprovince, Ring of Fire, Red Lake and Kirkland Lake contain the majority of these deposits. Satellite‑based mapping tools are being used to chart mine locations, assess watershed and soil health impacts, and guide sustainable land‑use planning. The integrated approach aims to balance economic benefits of mining with the protection of soil, water quality, and community livelihoods, while also incorporating Indigenous stewardship and regional development goals.