The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday, March 4, edition that Toronto's status as a leading mining hub is threatened as exploration companies exit Canada and stock exchange listings decline. The Post's Jacob Lorinc writes that the mining industry faces challenges to its traditional model, where explorers attract investors and established producers conduct profitable takeovers. This consolidation has reduced head offices and listings, making it harder for companies to attract investment, while government regulations on foreign investment have tightened. "The industry that has fuelled most of the great Canadian minerals discoveries over the past 50 years is but a skeleton of itself," said Pierre Lassonde, who co-founded Franco-Nevada. "We should be extremely concerned." Three small firms shut their Canadian headquarters in the past nine months to relocate to other countries: Lithium Argentina, Solaris Resources Inc. and Falcon Energy Materials. At least two others -- Cornish Metals and Almonty Industries -- are embarking on similar plans. It is not just small companies: Toronto-based Barrick Gold, the world's No. 2 miner, has mused about redomiciling to the United States.