Figure 1 is a line chart showing exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures (in 2012 dollars) by work phase for the years 2003 to 2013. The work phases shown include off-mine-site exploration, off-mine-site deposit appraisal, and on-mine-site exploration and deposit appraisal. The chart shows the importance of off-mine-site activities, which together account for the vast majority of expenditures.
Figure 2 is a bar chart showing exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures (in 2012 dollars) by range of expenditures and number of project operators for the years 2003 to 2013. Each bar is subdivided into spending intervals ranging from $1 million or less to $10 million or more. Within each spending interval is a number indicating how many project operators fall within this particular range for the year in question. For example, in 2013, it is expected that 83 project operators will spend $10 million or more, 62 will spend $5 to $10 million, and 247 will spend $1 million to $5 million. The number of companies spending less than $1 million is not indicated in the graph, but is explained in the footnote to the graph.
Figure 3 is a bar chart showing exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures (in 2012 dollars) by type of company and number of project operators for the years 2003 to 2013. Each bar is subdivided into two segments: the lower one is for the number of senior companies and the upper one is for the number of junior companies. Within each segment, there is a number indicating exactly how many project operators fall within each type of company. A line graph depicting Natural Resources Canada’s Metals Price Index is superimposed over the bar graph. The combined chart shows the strong correlation between metal prices and exploration and deposit appraisal spending with upward movements in the price index corresponding to rising expenditures.
Figure 4 is a map of Canada on which is superimposed bar charts (three bars for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013) showing the amount of exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures (in current dollars) for each province and territory. The top spending jurisdictions in 2013 are expected to be Ontario ($754.8 million), Quebec ($691.7 million), and British Columbia ($652.1 million).
Figure 5 is a bar chart showing exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures (in 2012 dollars) by mineral commodity sought for the years 2003 to 2013. For each year, there are bars for precious metals, base metals, iron ore, uranium, diamonds, other metals, nonmetals, and coal. The latter years show the emergence of iron ore and coal as commodities of interest, while precious metals maintains a sizeable lead, ahead of base metals, throughout the entire period.