Coal & Minerals

Coal

Coal is one of the most abundant fossil fuels in the world. It has many important uses, most significantly in electricity generation, steel and cement manufacture, and industrial process heating. Among nations, Canada is ranked in the top ten in proven coal reserves, with the majority of those reserves located in the province of Alberta.Alberta.

Alberta's Clean Coal

There are four main types of coal and all are found in Canada:

  • anthracite
  • bituminous
  • sub-bituminous
  • lignite

Alberta's coal consists primarily of the bituminous and sub-bituminous forms. Coal mined in Alberta is generally low in sulphur and therefore burns relatively cleanly compared to many coals mined in other parts of the world.

Coal Extraction Methods

There are two main ways of extracting coal:

  • Shaft or tunnel mining
  • Surface mining: either open-pit or strip mining

Alberta's coal is extracted using surface mining techniques. With open-pit mines, as mining progresses, the pits are widened and deepened. Typically, a number of different pits are developed one after the other.

Strip mining is where coal seams are fairly horizontal and close to the surface. Large machinery exposes and extracts the coal in a series of rows called strips.

Currently, there are no underground mines active in Alberta.

Non-Energy Minerals

There are a number of minerals excavated and mined in four major quarries in Alberta for uses other than energy production. Some of these non-energy minerals include:

  • ammonite
  • diamonds
  • gold
  • iron and magnetite
  • limestone and other building stone
  • salt
  • sand, gravel, clay and shale
  • sulphur

Salt and limestone continue to be the leading non-fuel minerals produced in Alberta.

For more information on coal or minerals, see:

  • Alberta Department of Energy

    The Alberta Department of Energy is responsible for ensuring the responsible development of Alberta's natural energy resources. The Alberta Energy website has valuable information on the different resource industries in the province, including the coal and mineral mining industries.

    • Coal
      Learn about the coal mining industry in Alberta, including information on coal reserves, and provincial legislation regulating the mining and use of this fossil fuel.

    • Minerals
      The mining industry in Alberta yields many non-energy minerals important in manufacturing and construction, as well as precious metals and gems. Learn more about this segment of Alberta's mining operations.

  • Coal Association of Canada
    The Coal Association of Canada is based in Calgary, Alberta, and works to represents the interests of companies active in coal extraction, development and use.

Date Updated: Nov 24, 2008
RDP-963