Technology companies were next best represented, with five making the list.

The 2021 TSX30 listed the 30 top-performing stocks over a three-year period, based on dividend-adjusted share price performance.

Americas-focused gold and copper producer Aura Minerals topped the list with a three-year performance of 1,125%.

Copper producer Capstone Mining ranked fifth with 433% and dual-listed miner Champion Iron was in sixth place with 365%.

Orla Mining was eighth (313%) and precious metals developer SilverCrest Metals CEO Eric Fier said the company was honoured by the recognition after placing ninth with 286%.

It was followed by Wesdome Gold Mines (283%), Marathon Gold (258%), Aya Gold & Silver (253%) and Victoria Gold (251%), ranking 10th to 13th respectively.

Ivanhoe Mines, which has started copper production this year at Kamoa-Kakula in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was 15th with 231%.

Copper Mountain Mining (194%) and critical metals-focused NioCorp Developments (188%) were next among resource equities at 21 and 22.

Ero Copper was 29th (165%) and developer Lithium Americas rounded out the list, coming in at number 30 with 162%.

The 30 companies created C$248 billion of market capitalisation growth over the past three years and averaged adjusted shareholder returns of more than 300%, the TSX said.

TMX Group's president capital formation and enterprise marketing officer Loui Anastasopoulos said public companies on its exchanges played a critical role in creating jobs and driving economic activity.

"Despite challenging times, the 2021 TSX30 and many more of our listed companies across all sectors have continued to lead the way; pursuing adaptive, future-focused business plans and generating growth for their shareholders, industries, and the communities in which they operate," Anastasopoulos said.