[Letterhead of Deloitte & Touche] Zemex Corporation Canada Trust Tower, BCE Place 161 Bay Street, Suite 3750 Toronto, Ontario CANADA M5J 2S1 Dear Sirs: INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Zemex Corporation of our Auditors' Reports dated February 5, 1999 included in the Zemex Corporation Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP March 31, 1999 II-9