Monthly Smelters and Metal Refineries Survey - 2025

The purpose of this monthly survey is to obtain information on the quantities of metal being produced by smelters and metal refineries in Canada, including Canadian production originating from external sources. Information from this survey is used for market analysis, industrial and regional development, establishing trade and tariff policies, and managing natural resources.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Your participation in this survey is required under the authority of the Statistics Act.

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19.

By law, Statistics Canada is prohibited from releasing any information it collects that could identify any person, business or organization, unless consent has been given by the respondent, or as permitted by the Statistics Act. Statistics Canada will use the information from this survey for statistical purposes only.

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada may combine the acquired data with information from other surveys or from administrative sources.

To reduce response burden, Statistics Canada has entered into data sharing agreements with provincial and territorial statistical agencies and other government organizations, which have agreed to keep the data confidential and use them only for statistical purposes. Statistics Canada will only share data from this survey with those organizations that have demonstrated a requirement to use the data.

Section 11 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with provincial and territorial statistical agencies that meet certain conditions. These agencies must have the legislative authority to collect the same information, on a mandatory basis, and the legislation must provide substantially the same provisions for confidentiality and penalties for disclosure of confidential information as the Statistics Act. Because these agencies have the legal authority to compel businesses to provide the same information, consent is not requested and businesses may not object to the sharing of the data.

For this survey, there are Section 11 agreements with the provincial and territorial statistical agencies of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.

The shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Section 12 of the Statistics Act provides for the sharing of information with federal, provincial or territorial government organizations. Under Section 12, you may refuse to share your information with any of these organizations by writing a letter of objection to the Chief Statistician, specifying the organizations with which you do not want Statistics Canada to share your data and mailing it to the following address:

Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, Centre for Production, Distribution and Investment Statistics
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0T6

You may also contact us by email at infostats or by fax at 1-514-496-4879.

For this survey, there are Section 12 agreements with the statistical agencies of Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as with Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the ministère des Finances du Québec, the ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie du Québec, the ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec and the ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts du Québec.

For agreements with provincial and territorial government organizations, the shared data will be limited to information pertaining to business establishments located within the jurisdiction of the respective province or territory.

Please report for all Canadian locations

For the purposes of this survey, report information for the month of reference

. Report for all Canadian production.
. When precise figures are not available, provide your best estimates
. Report dollar amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars ('000).
. Exclude sales tax.
. Enter "0" if there is no value to report.

Please complete this questionnaire and submit it within 10 days of receipt.

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:1.

Verify or provide the business or organization's legal and operating name, and correct information if needed.
Note: Legal name should only be modified to correct a spelling error or typo.
: Legal name
: Operating name (if applicable)

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:2.

Verify or provide the contact information for the designated contact person for the business or organization, and correct information if needed.
Note: The designated contact person is the person who should receive this questionnaire. The designated contact person may not always be the one who actually completes the questionnaire.

• : First name
  : Last name
  Title
  Preferred language of communication
  : English
  : French
  Mailing address (number and street)
  City
  Province, territory or state
  Postal code or ZIP code
  Example: A9A 9A9 or 12345-1234
  Country
  : Canada
  : United States
  Email address
  Example: user@example.gov.ca
  Telephone number (including area code)
  Example: 123-123-1234
  Extension number (if applicable)
  Fax number (including area code)
  Example: 123-123-1234

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:3.

Verify or provide the current operational status of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.

• : Operational
• : Not currently operational
  e.g., temporarily or permanently closed, change of ownership
  Why is this business or organization not currently operational?
• : Seasonal operations
  When did this business or organization close for the season?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
• : Ceased operations
  When did this business or organization cease operations?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  Why did this business or organization cease operations?
  : Bankruptcy
  : Liquidation
  : Dissolution
  : Other
  Specify the other reasons why operations ceased
• : Sold operations
  When was this business or organization sold?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  What is the legal name of the buyer?
• : Amalgamated with other businesses or organizations
  When did this business or organization amalgamate?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  What is the legal name of the resulting or continuing business or organization?
  What are the legal names of the other amalgamated businesses or organizations?
• : Temporarily inactive but expected to reopen
  When did this business or organization become temporarily inactive?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  When does this business or organization expect to resume operations?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  Why is this business or organization temporarily inactive?
• : No longer operating because of the other reasons
  When did this business or organization cease operations?
  Date
  Example: YYYY-MM-DD
  Why did this business or organization cease operations?

Business or organization and contact information - Question identifier:4.

Verify or provide the current main activity of the business or organization identified by the legal and operating name above.
Note: The described activity was assigned using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
NAICS English
Description and examples
: This is the current main activity
: This is not the current main activity
Provide a brief but precise description of this business or organization's main activity
e.g., breakfast cereal manufacturing, shoe store, software development

Main activity - Question identifier:5.

You indicated that this is not the current main activity.
Was this business or organization's main activity ever classified as its main activity?
: Yes
When did the main activity change?
Date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
: No

Main activity - Question identifier:6.

Search and select the industry activity classification that best corresponds to this business or organization's main activity.
How to search:
- If desired, you can filter the search results by first selecting the business or organization's activity sector.
- Enter keywords or a brief description that best describe the business or organization's main activity.
-Press the Search button to search the database for an industry activity classification that best matches the keywords or description you provided.
-Select an industry activity classification from the list.
Select this business or organization's activity sector (optional):
Enter keywords or a brief description:

Reporting period information - Question identifier:1.

What are the start and end dates of this business's or organization's reporting period for the month of reference?
Start date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD
End date
Example: YYYY-MM-DD

Reporting period information - Question identifier:2.

What is the reason the reporting period does not cover at least 28 days?

Select all that apply.

• : Seasonal operations
• : New business
• : Change of ownership
• : Temporarily inactive
• : Change of fiscal year
• : Ceased operations
• : Other
  Specify the other reason the reporting period does not cover at least 28 days

Type of operation - Question identifier:3.

What type of smelter or refinery is this plant?

• : Aluminum
• : Secondary lead
• : Other products
  e.g., copper, refined; zinc, refined; silver, refined; etc.

Aluminum - Question identifier:4.

Select the unit of measure in which you would like to report the quantity of aluminum.

: Metric tonne
: Kilogram

Aluminum - Question identifier:5.

For the month of reference, please provide the following for aluminum.

Quantity

• a: Stock at the beginning of the month
  Production
  b: Molten metal
  e.g. metal from pots or electrolysis baths
  c: Alloys
  e.g. melting or holding furnaces, reclaimed metals
  Total Production
  Sum of b + c
• d: Transfers
  Note: report net transfers, transfers out minus transfers in
  . include intra and inter company transfers
  . include receipts from outside sources
  
  Include:
  . transfers out: minerals transferred out, but not yet sold, from this establishment to another, e.g., minerals sent to another location that belongs to this establishment (warehouse), minerals transferred out for further processing.
  . transfers in include minerals transferred (not sold) to your establishment from other establishments of your own company.
  
  Exclude:
  . transfers of minerals produced by this establishment under contract for another facility.
  . minerals sold to another establishment; transfers to establishments operating outside of Canada.
• e: Melt Loss
  
  Note: Melt loss has to be reported as a positive value, as the loss is accounted for in the stock at the end of the month. Melt loss results from the oxidation of aluminum.
• f: Inventory Adjustment
  i.e., variation in molten stock that is awaiting casting
• : Shipments
  . Include minerals this establishment owns that were sold to another establishment, whether it is intra or inter company
  . transfers to establishments operating outside of Canada.
  
  Exclude:
  . minerals transferred (transfers in or out), but not yet sold, from this facility to another site whether it is intra or inter
  company.
• g: Domestic
• h: Exports
• : Total shipments
  Sum of g + h
• i: Stock at the end of the month
  Sum of a + (b + c) - d - e + f - (g + h)

Aluminum - Question identifier:6.

You have reported that this establishment shipped aluminum.
What was the value of the shipments?
If precise figures are not available, please provide your best estimates.
Value of shipments (CAN$ '000)
$____,000

Aluminum - Question identifier:7.

Indicate whether the value of shipments for aluminum is reported at final selling price or using another method of valuation.

Please report value of shipments using the same valuation method every month

If your firm consists of only a single business unit, sales must be reported at your final selling price.

If you are part of a multi-business unit firm:
. sales to your firm's non mining business units must be reported at your final selling price.
. sales to your firm's mining business units, sales branches, selling warehouses or head offices should be reported at the value shown on your books of account (i.e. book transfer value).

: Final selling price
: Production cost
: Transfer value
: Other valuation
(e.g., combination of production cost and final selling price)
Specify other method of valuation.

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:8.

For the month of reference, what output did this plant produce?
Select all that apply.

• : Refined lead
• : Antimonial lead
• : Other output
  Specify other output
• : Other output
  Specify other output
• : Other output
  Specify other output
  OR
  No output produced

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:9-25.

Select the unit of measure in which you would like to report the quantity of the product selected in Q8.

• : Metric tonne
• : Short ton
• : Kilogram
• : Pound

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:10-26.

For the month of reference, please provide the following for the product selected in Q8.
Quantity

• : Shipments of the product selected in Q8
  a: Domestic
  b: Export
  Total
  Sum of a + b

Monthly production

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:11-27.

You have reported that this establishment shipped the product selected in Q8.
If precise figures are not available please provide your best estimates

Value of shipments (CAN$ '000)
$____,000

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:12-28.

Indicate whether the value of shipments for the product selected in Q8 is reported at final selling price or using another method of valuation

Please report value of shipments using the same valuation method every month

If your firm consists of only a single business unit, sales must be reported at your final selling price.

If you are part of a multi-business unit firm:
. sales to your firm's non mining business units must be reported at your final selling price.
. sales to your firm's mining business units, sales branches, selling warehouses or head offices should be reported at the value shown on your books of account (i.e. book transfer value).
: Final selling price
: Production cost
: Transfer value
: Other method of valuation
(e.g., combination of production cost and final selling price)
Specify other method of valuation.

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:29.

For the month of reference, what input was used by this plant?
Select all that apply.

• : Lead-bearing scrap
• : Refined pig lead
• : Antimonial pig lead
• : Other input
  Specify other input
• : Other input
  Specify other input
• : Other input
  Specify other input
  Or
  No input used

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:30-40.

Select the unit of measure in which you would like to report the quantity of the product selected in Q29.

• : Metric tonne
• : Short ton
• : Kilogram
• : Pound

Smelters and refineries of secondary lead - Question identifier:31-41.

For the month of reference, please provide the following for the product selected in Q29.
Quantity

• : Source of purchases of the product selected in Q29.
  a) Domestic
  b) Import
• : Total
  Sum of a + b

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:42.

For the month of reference, what product did this plant produce, ship or have in stock?
Select all that apply.

• : Antimonial lead
• : Bismuth
• : Cadmium
• : Calcium
• : Cobalt, refined
  Exclude cobalt oxide.
• : Copper and lead matte
• : Copper cathodes
• : Copper from primary source, smelter
• : Copper from secondary source and scrap, smelter
• : Copper in matte
• : Copper matte
• : Copper scrap
• : Copper speiss
• : Copper, refined
• : Germanium
• : Gold, refined
• : Indium
• : Iridium
• : Lead and antimony bullion
• : Lead and bismuth alloy
• : Lead, refined from primary
• : Lead, refined from secondary
• : Magnesium
• : Nickel in matte
• : Nickel, metallic from refined nickel
  Exclude nickel oxide, electronickel, foundry additives, nickel carbonate and nickel residue for market.
• : Nickel, refined
• : Palladium
• : Platinum
• : Rare earth elements
  Include lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, scandium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and yttrium.
• : Rhodium
• : Ruthenium
• : Selenium
• : Silver, refined
• : Strontium
• : Sulphur dioxide SO2
• : Sulphur elemental
• : Sulphuric acid, smelter
• : Tellurium
• : Zinc, refined
• : Other product
  Specify other product
• : Other product
  Specify other product
• : Other product
  Specify other product

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:43-207.

Select the unit of measure in which you would like to report the quantity of the product selected in Q42.

• : Metric tonne
• : Short ton
• : Kilogram
• : Pound
• : Gram
• : Ounce

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:44-208.

For the month of reference, please provide the following for the product selected in Q42.
Quantity

• a: Stock at the beginning of the month
  Note: your opening stock should equal the closing stock reported in the previous month.
• b: Production
• : Shipments
• c: Domestic
• d: Exports
• : Total shipments
  Sum of c + d
  Stock at the end of the month
  Sum of a + b - (c + d)

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:42.

For the month of reference, what product did this plant produce, ship or have in stock?
Select all that apply.

• : Antimonial lead
• : Bismuth
• : Cadmium
• : Calcium
• : Cobalt, refined
  Exclude cobalt oxide.
• : Copper and lead matte
• : Copper cathodes
• : Copper from primary source, smelter
• : Copper from secondary source and scrap, smelter
• : Copper in matte
• : Copper matte
• : Copper scrap
• : Copper speiss
• : Copper, refined
• : Germanium
• : Indium
• : Iridium
• : Lead and antimony bullion
• : Lead and bismuth alloy
• : Lead, refined from primary
• : Lead, refined from secondary
• : Magnesium
• : Nickel in matte
• : Nickel, metallic from refined nickel
  Exclude nickel oxide, electronickel, foundry additives, nickel carbonate and nickel residue for market.
• : Nickel, refined
• : Palladium
• : Platinum
• : Rhodium
• : Ruthenium
• : Selenium
• : Silver, refined
• : Strontium
• : Sulphur dioxide SO2
• : Sulphur elemental
• : Sulphuric acid, smelter
• : Tellurium
• : Zinc, refined
• : Other product
  Specify other product
• : Other product
  Specify other product
• : Other product
  Specify other product

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:43-207.

Select the unit of measure in which you would like to report the quantity of the product selected in Q42.

• : Metric tonne
• : Short ton
• : Kilogram
• : Pound
• : Gram
• : Ounce

Products of smelters and metal refineries - Question identifier:44-208.

For the month of reference, please provide the following for the product selected in Q42.
Quantity

• a: Stock at the beginning of the month
  Note: your opening stock should equal the closing stock reported in the previous month.
• b: Production
• : Shipments
• c: Domestic
• d: Exports
• : Total shipments
  Sum of c + d
  Stock at the end of the month
  Sum of a + b - (c + d)

Monthly production - Question identifier:45-209.

You have reported that this establishment shipped (quantity and unit of measure) of the product selected in Q42.
What was the value of the shipments?
If precise figures are not available please provide your best estimates.
Value of shipments (CAN$ '000)
$_____,000

Monthly production - Question identifier:46-210.

Indicate whether the value of shipments for the product selected in Q42 is reported at final selling price or using another method of valuation.

Please report value of shipments using the same valuation method every month.
If your firm consists of only a single business unit, sales must be reported at your final selling price.
If you are part of a multi-business unit firm:
. sales to your firm's non mining business units must be reported at your final selling price
. sales to your firm's mining business units sales branches, selling warehouses or head offices should be reported at the value shown on your books of account (i.e., book transfer value).

• : Final selling price
• : Production cost
• : Transfer value
• : Other method of valuation
  e.g., combination of production cost and final selling price
  Specify other method of valuation

The following section will ask questions on the production capacity of this establishment.

Production capacity is defined as the maximum level of production that this establishment could reasonably expect to attain under realistic labour and operating conditions, fully utilizing the machinery and equipment in place.

The industrial capacity utilization rate represents the intensity with which industries use their production capacity. The rates give insight into the overall slack that is in the economy or a firm at a given point in time. It is an important economic indicator, useful to predict investment and price pressures.

Production capacity - Question identifier:211.

For the reference month, this establishment has been operating at what percentage of its production capacity?
Percentage
%

Production capacity - Question identifier:212.

This establishment has been operating at less than its full production capacity for the reference month, what were the reasons?
Select all that apply.

• : Weather
• : Commodity prices
• : Temporary plant shutdown
• : Lack of materials or supplies
• : Sufficient inventory
• : Storage limitation
• : Equipment failure
• : Environmental restrictions
• : Insufficient labour available
• : Seasonal operations
• : Financial constraints
• : Quality issues
• : Insufficient orders
• : Strike or work stoppage
• : Other
  Specify other reason

Production capacity - Question identifier:213.

This establishment has been operating above its full production capacity for the reference month, what were the reasons?
Select all that apply.

• : Exchange rate impact
• : Commodity prices
• : New contract
• : Acquisition of business or business units
• : Merge of business or business units
• : Increased market demand
• : Weather
• : Plant expansion or contraction
• : Technology changes
• : Process changes
• : Other
  Specify other reason

Changes or events - Question identifier:214.

Indicate any changes or events that affected the reported values for this business or organization, compared with the last reporting period.
Select all that apply.

• : Strike or lock-out
  How many days in the reference month was your plant open?
• : Contracting out
• : Natural disaster
  How many days in the reference month was your plant open?
• : Recession
• : New or lost contract
• : Plant closures
  How many days in the reference month was your plant open?
• : Vacation or maintenance periods
  How many days in the reference month was your plant open?
• : Equipment failure
  How many days in the reference month was your plant open?
• : Plant expansion or contraction
• : Other
  Specify the other changes or events
  OR
  No changes or events

Contact person - Question identifier:215.

Statistics Canada may need to contact the person who completed this questionnaire for further information.
Is First name and Last name the best person to contact?
: Yes
: No

Who is the best person to contact about this questionnaire?
:First name
:Last name
Title
Email address
Example: user@example.gov.ca
Telephone number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234
Extension number (if applicable)
Fax number (including area code)
Example: 123-123-1234

Feedback - Question identifier:216.

How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?
Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.
Hours
Minutes

Feedback - Question identifier:217.

Do you have any comments about this questionnaire?
Enter your comments