Geology and Coal Resources of the Wapiti Formation of North Central Alberta

A study of coal resources of the Wapiti Formation shows that three coal zones in the area between Edmonton and Barrhead are of potential commercial value. A coal zone referred to in this report as the McKay equivalent can be correlated throughout the lower part of the Wapiti Formation. The associated coal seams are generally thin, although the beds locally thicken in a limited area between Westlock and Thorhild.

Two coal zones within the upper part of the Wapiti Formation are of commercial interest. The Clover Bar equivalent, a prominent coal zone in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation, and the overlying Weaver equivalent are recognized as the two major widespread coal zones, throughout the Edmonton and Barrhead areas.

Cross sections illustrate the regional structural and stratigraphic relationships of the Upper Cretaceous strata. Coal seam maps are presented including: the thickest seams 3 ft (1.5 m) or greater in thickness and aggregate thicknesses of all seams exceeding 3 ft (0.9 m) thick in any one section.

In the study area the total resources in coal seams 5 ft (1.5 m) or greater in thickness and in coal seams 3 ft (0.9 m) or greater in thickness but with an aggregate thickness of 5 ft (1.5 m) or greater, are 2.9 billion tons (2.6 x 109t) and 4.7 billion tons (4.3 x 109t) respectively.