Geochemistry of Coal and Associated Sedimentary Rock Units for Selected Drillcore Samples from Coal-Bearing Strata in Central and Southern Alberta

This digital data release includes the results from whole-rock lithogeochemical analyses of 57 samples from five unique drillcores intersecting coal seams in the Alberta portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. The aim of this project was to generate a publicly available, comprehensive geochemical dataset for selected coal-bearing strata in Alberta. The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) / Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) engaged Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) to analyze the selected samples from May 2024 to July 2025. Actlabs used a combination of standard sample preparation and analysis packages specifically developed to quantify the major, minor and trace elements (including rare earth elements) of coal. Drillcore was selected for this project from the collections at the AGS Mineral Core Research Facility in Edmonton, based on the geospatial location, geological units intercepted, coal seam thickness, and condition of each drillcore. The intervals sampled were determined by coal seam distribution and core condition, and include coal, shale, siltstone, sandstone, and other associated lithologies. High-resolution core photos showing the locations of these measurement points will be made available through the AGS Alberta Interactive Minerals Map.

This work was completed under the Mineral Grant provided by the Government of Alberta dated June 22, 2021.