Mr. Speaker, Quebec has been involved in mining and mineral development for over 150 years. One of the first placer gold finds in Canada took place near the Chaudière River in the Eastern Townships, and although this find would now be regarded as minor, it led to the production of thousands of ounces of gold between 1862 and 1886.
Quebec is not only the second largest mineral producer in Canada, but it has also spent the most on mining since 1992.
All this work was not done in vain. Development of the gold mine in Louvicourt started last year, and several other mines will open in the future. The Grevet zinc and copper mine will open in June 1996, the Troilus gold mine early next year, and the Raglan nickel and copper mine in 1998.
Between 1995 and 1998, $1 billion will be invested in mining in Quebec. Thanks to these new mines, the mining industry will remain a major contributor to the economy of Quebec and Canada. Mining Week-