Canada Potash and Iron Ore Production Data: MOP & Iron Concentrates, 2019–2025
Canada produced a preliminary 24.77 million tonnes of muriate of potash and 70.22 million tonnes of iron concentrates in 2025. The latest non-preliminary 2024 figures are 24.70 million tonnes and 67.96 million tonnes, respectively. These are national mineral-production figures, not conveyor throughput or conveyor-belt demand.
What does the Canadian production data show?
Statistics Canada reports 24.70 million tonnes of MOP and 67.96 million tonnes of iron concentrates for 2024. Between 2019 and 2024, potash production increased 18.0%, while iron concentrate production increased 45.2%.
Dataset scope
| Dataset field | Definition |
|---|---|
| Geography | Canada |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Coverage | 2019–2025 |
| Measure | Quantity produced |
| Unit | Metric tonnes |
| Potash series | Muriate of potash (MOP) |
| Iron series | Iron concentrates |
| 2025 status | Preliminary |
| Primary source | Statistics Canada Table 16-10-0022-01 |
| Calculated fields | Million tonnes; year-over-year change |
p). Percentage changes shown on this page are Hongkun calculations using the unrounded official values.Canada potash production, 2019–2025
The series measures quantity produced of muriate of potash, or MOP. MOP is potassium chloride sold as a potash product. It is not the same measure as contained potassium oxide.
| Year | Production (tonnes) | Million tonnes | Year-over-year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20,928,973 | 20.929 | N/A | Published |
| 2020 | 22,385,928 | 22.386 | 7.0% | Published |
| 2021 | 23,239,270 | 23.239 | 3.8% | Published |
| 2022 | 23,568,614 | 23.569 | 1.4% | Published |
| 2023 | 23,007,713 | 23.008 | -2.4% | Published |
| 2024 | 24,697,559 | 24.698 | 7.3% | Published |
| 2025 | 24,772,376 | 24.772 | 0.3% | Preliminary |
Source note: Natural Resources Canada reports approximately 25 million tonnes of Canadian MOP production for 2024. Statistics Canada Table 16-10-0022-01 reports 24,697,559 tonnes for the series used in this dataset. Official figures may differ because of revision timing and compilation methods. This page uses the Statistics Canada series consistently across 2019–2025.
Canada iron concentrate production, 2019–2025
This table uses the Statistics Canada iron concentrates series. It does not add iron agglomerates because those records describe a separate product stage and could double count processed material.
| Year | Production (tonnes) | Million tonnes | Year-over-year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 46,794,745 | 46.795 | N/A | Published |
| 2020 | 60,824,187 | 60.824 | 30.0% | Published |
| 2021 | 57,347,860 | 57.348 | -5.7% | Published |
| 2022 | 64,212,320 | 64.212 | 12.0% | Published |
| 2023 | 65,165,564 | 65.166 | 1.5% | Published |
| 2024 | 67,955,288 | 67.955 | 4.3% | Published |
| 2025 | 70,224,051 | 70.224 | 3.3% | Preliminary |
Natural Resources Canada reports a broader 2024 headline of 70 million tonnes of iron ore in concentrates and pellets. Statistics Canada separates concentrates and agglomerates, and the 2024 national agglomerate value is suppressed.
Why do official Canadian sources show different figures?
The sources serve different purposes. Statistics Canada publishes detailed product series with exact values and status symbols. Natural Resources Canada publishes rounded facts and broader industry explanations.
| Difference | What it changes | How this article handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Product scope | Iron concentrates and agglomerates are separate stages. | Keeps iron concentrates as one consistent series. |
| Rounding | A facts page may show a rounded national total. | Uses exact downloadable-table values in the dataset. |
| Revision timing | Preliminary estimates may change. | Preserves the 2025 preliminary flag. |
| Confidentiality | Some product values are suppressed. | Does not reconstruct or guess suppressed records. |
What can national production tell conveyor engineers?
National data can define industry context and show changes in a commodity series. It can also help teams identify which material forms need closer study. It cannot select a conveyor belt.
Do not infer these results
- sidewall conveyor belt demand or market share;
- the number of Canadian mines using steep-angle conveyors;
- belt width, speed, sidewall height, or cleat spacing;
- maximum conveying angle;
- service life, energy use, or cost savings; or
- compatibility with a specific mine or conveyor.
What site data is needed before reviewing a sidewall belt?
A corrugated sidewall conveyor belt should enter the review when a project needs material containment and a steep or space-constrained route. Final selection still requires the complete application.
| Input | Potash review | Iron concentrate review | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material form | Granular, compacted, screened, dusty | Concentrate, pellet feed, pellets, lump | Separates process stages and handling behavior. |
| Particle size | Normal range and largest agglomerate | Size distribution and oversize | Affects loading, retention, discharge, and wear. |
| Bulk density | Actual operating value | Actual operating value | Converts carrying volume into mass capacity. |
| Moisture | Caking and buildup tendency | Adhesion and compaction tendency | Changes flow, cleaning, and discharge. |
| Capacity | Normal and peak tonnes per hour | Normal and peak tonnes per hour | Provides the project design basis. |
| Layout | Lift, incline, route, transfers | Lift, incline, route, transfers | Shows whether a steep route offers a useful option. |
| Maintenance | Cleaning, access, corrosion exposure | Cleaning, impact, access, buildup | Prevents a compact route from creating poor maintenance access. |
A conventional belt may remain the better choice when the route is simple and space is available. Compare layouts before selecting the belt construction. If the project needs a steep or space-constrained route, review Hongkun’s corrugated sidewall conveyor belts and the sidewall conveyor belt selection guide before preparing the application data.
Methodology, limitations, and downloads
This dataset is compiled by Hongkun Belting from Statistics Canada Table 16-10-0022-01. It uses Canada-level Quantity produced records for MOP and iron concentrates from 2019 through 2025.
Million tonnes equals official tonnes divided by 1,000,000. Year-over-year change equals the current unrounded value divided by the prior unrounded value, minus one. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
Data verification: Statistics Canada release dated February 25, 2026; 2025 preliminary mineral-production data checked against Natural Resources Canada. Last verified September 21, 2026.
Download the synchronized dataset
The downloadable XLSX workbook includes a Hongkun overview, readable evidence table, and source notes. It preserves the publication status, source attribution, formulas, and interpretation limits used on this page.
Suggested citation
Hongkun Belting. “Canada Potash and Iron Ore Production Data: MOP & Iron Concentrates, 2019–2025.” Hongkun editorial compilation from Statistics Canada Table 16-10-0022-01, accessed September 21, 2026.
Original sources
- Statistics Canada Table 16-10-0022-01, released February 25, 2026.
- Natural Resources Canada: Potash facts.
- Natural Resources Canada: Iron ore facts.
Canada mineral production and conveyor FAQs
Does Canada’s mineral production equal conveyor throughput?
No. National production combines many operations and reporting records. Conveyor throughput must come from the project’s normal and peak operating requirements.
Why does this dataset use iron concentrates instead of total iron ore?
Statistics Canada publishes iron concentrates and iron agglomerates separately. The 2024 national agglomerate value is suppressed, so this dataset keeps the complete iron concentrate series instead of building an incomplete total.
Is the 2025 data final?
No. Statistics Canada marks the 2025 values as preliminary. They may change in a later release.
Does rising production prove demand for corrugated sidewall belts?
No. Production trends provide market context only. Belt demand requires project evidence about material, layout, capacity, replacement cycles, and purchasing activity.
What information is needed to review a sidewall conveyor belt?
Provide the material form, particle size, bulk density, moisture, temperature, hourly capacity, lift, incline, conveyor layout, pulley diameters, loading, discharge, cleaning, and operating environment.
Send the project data, not a national production total
Share the material data and conveyor layout with Hongkun. We can review whether a corrugated sidewall belt should be considered and identify the information still needed for a technical quotation.
