Monthly Mineral Production Survey

Detailed information for June 2019

The Monthly Mineral Production Survey provides information on the performance of the mining sector in Canada. This survey presents estimates on monthly production and inventories of products such as metallic and non-metallic minerals as well as aggregates and refractory minerals.

Data release - August 21, 2019

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology
• Data accuracy

Description

The purpose of this survey is to collect information on non-fuel mineral production. Data are collected using a number of questionnaires covering different products.

Statistics on non-fuel mineral production are essential to support informed decision-making by federal, provincial and territorial governments. A variety of organizations, industry associations and levels of government make use of this information for market analysis, industrial and regional development, establishing trade and tariff policies, and managing natural resources.

In addition, the results of this survey are used by Natural Resources Canada to conduct analysis to provide informed policy advice on investment, industrial and regional development, trade and tariff policies, as well as the development and management of natural resources.

Collection period: During the month following the reference month.

Subjects

• Manufacturing
• Non-metallic mineral and metal

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The Monthly Mineral Production Survey is a periodical publication that provides timely statistical data on production and stocks of leading mineral products.

The target population is represented by all establishments producing some of Canada's leading minerals, including iron ore, diamonds, gold, aluminum, salt, potash, gypsum, lime and clay products.

Instrument design

The Monthly Mineral Production Survey questionnaires capture information on the quantities of outputs produced in Canada.

Sampling

This survey is a census with a cross-sectional design.

Data are collected for all units of the target population; therefore, no sampling is done.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents and derived from other Statistics Canada surveys.

Data are collected primarily through electronic files sent via a secure system, while providing respondents with the option of receiving a paper questionnaire, replying by telephone interview or using other electronic filing methods. Follow-up for non-response and for data validation may be conducted by telephone, mail and/or email.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s).

Error detection

Error detection is an integral part of both collection and data processing activities. Data received on survey questionnaires are subject to extensive edit processes, both by a survey officer and by automated edits within the production system. When errors are found, they are corrected using the failed edit follow-up process during collection. Extreme values are also flagged as potential outliers. Following their detection, these values are reviewed in order to assess their reliability. When required, the respondent may be contacted to confirm the data.

In general, every effort is made to minimize duplication, misclassification, reporting and processing errors.

Imputation

When non-response occurs or when reported data are considered incorrect during the error detection process, imputation is used to fill in the missing information and modify the incorrect information. Data are imputed for respondents that fail to send in their questionnaires for the current period.

At the beginning of the next reporting period, the imputed values are replaced with actual data received from the late-reporting respondents and final estimates are produced.

Different methods of imputation may be used to complete a questionnaire, including manual changes made by a subject-matter officer after the respondent is contacted to confirm the data and pro-rating relevant historical data.

Imputation generates a complete and coherent micro data file that covers all survey variables.

Estimation

All units in the observed population as classified by the Business Register are surveyed. Estimation of the totals is done by a simple aggregation of the values of all units that are found in the domain of estimation.

Quality evaluation

The Survey final data sets are subject to rigorous analysis to ensure comparability with patterns observed in the historical data series. Information available from other sources such as mineral production statistics from various provincial and territorial departments as well as other statistical agencies are also used to assess quality and consistency of the data series.

Disclosure control

Statistics Canada is prohibited by law from releasing any information it collects which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Various confidentiality rules are applied to all data that are released or published to prevent the publication or disclosure of any information deemed confidential. When necessary, data are suppressed to prevent direct or residual disclosure of identifiable data.

Natural Resources Canada will continue to publish tabular results of this survey, excluding any information which could identify any person, business, or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent.

Revisions and seasonal adjustment

The monthly data release for the current reference month presents preliminary estimates that are subject to revision. Revised estimates based on late responses can be provided for up to the three previous months.

The data are not seasonally adjusted; therefore all comparisons can only be done on a year-over-year basis.

Data accuracy

This information will be available when data are collected for twelve consecutive months from Statistics Canada.