Coal

Coal is derived from plant remains, which accumulated in swamps millions of years ago and were subsequently buried by layers of sediments. Heat, pressure and chemical reactions gradually changed the plant remains, called peat, into coal.

There are many different types of coal. Coal contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and varying amounts of sulphur. High-rank coals are high in carbon and heat value, but low in hydrogen and oxygen. Low-rank coals are low in carbon but high in hydrogen and oxygen content. Anthracite has the highest carbon content, followed by bituminous, sub-bituminous and lignite coal, which has the lowest carbon content.

The most abundant type of coal in Alberta is sub-bituminous coal, found east of the mountains. Although its heating value is lower than some other coals, it is useful in electricity generating stations.

Bituminous metallurgical coal has a higher heating value and is used in making iron and steel. This kind of coal is found in the mountain region. Bituminous thermal coal also has a high heating value. This coal is found mostly in the foothills.

Alberta is the largest producer of coal in Canada, and the home of 70 percent of Canada's coal reserves. The province's total coal resources are estimated at 2.6 billion tonnes, and contain nearly twice the energy of all other non-renewable energy resources in Alberta, including oil, natural gas and oil sands. Estimates suggest that approximately 800 billion tonnes of the coal reserves are recoverable.

Alberta coal is used to generate electricity in the production of primary iron and steel, and is an important source of energy for industrial processes, such as cement manufacturing. Export markets for Alberta coal include Ontario, British Columbia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Western Europe.

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