When in Ottawa, I found myself fascinated by this scientific overhauling of the great Dominion, and an interest which at first was of an abstract and general character, presently took concrete and definite form. I decided to seek for an authoritative and comprehensive pronouncement concerning the mineral resources of the country, and for this purpose I sought an interview with Mr. R. W. Brock, the director of the Geological Survey. “You are right,” he said, when, in opening up the subject, I suggested that investigations could not at present have advanced very far; “we are a long way from having measured the mineral wealth of this vast country. Much of the territory has not been explored in even the most cursory way, while anything like a detailed examination of the rocks has at present been possible in only very limited areas. Still, the information we have already accumulated is sufficient to reveal Canada’s main geological features, to supply a rough indication of the districts that will yield minerals, and to show that the Dominion is destined to become one of the greatest mining countries in the world. For the amount of mineral land awaiting the prospector is prodigious—the greatest, in fact, that now anywhere remains unexploited.” I told Mr. Brock that, before going into the question of the wealth awaiting discovery, I should like to have from him a general statement of the valuable mineral deposits that had already come to light. Accordingly he was so good as to furnish me with the following particulars: “Coal is abundant and is extensively worked in the eastern and western provinces. The more important mines are situated in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Alberta. New Brunswick produces small quantities of coal for local use, and lignites are mined to some extent in Saskatchewan. Iron is found in most parts of Canada, but only in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec is it as yet of industrial importance, and there it is developed on only a limited scale. Substantial progress is, however, being made, and notable expansion may be expected. “Gold is worked in British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Quebec, and along certain rivers of Alberta. In British Columbia the lode mines now furnish the principal production, but placers are still of importance. Ontario and Nova Scotia have only lode mining. Elsewhere placer mining furnishes the gold. Silver is derived from the rich ores of Northern Ontario and the silver-lead mines of British Columbia. The extraordinary development of the silver district of Cobalt and Montreal River has placed that region in the premier position among the silver camps of the world. An important addition to the output of silver is contributed by the gold-copper ores of British Columbia. A certain amount is also produced in the copper-sulphur ores of Quebec.