Alberta Geological Survey - Coal Geology: Coal Compilation Project - Prairie Creek: NTS 83L/7

The coal-bearing Luscar Group, while not present in surface exposures, occurs at depth. Within the mapsheet, the Luscar Group is intersected, in the subsurface, in the 2400 to 3500 meter-deep range.

Within the mapsheet 83L/7, coals of both the Cutbank and Kakwa coal measures have a rank of high volatile bituminous C to sub-bituminous B.

In general, from a coal resource/exploration point of view, the map area has been only superficially examined. Additional coal exploration and coal quality data needs to be collected throughout the map area.

The coal-bearing Luscar Group, while not present in surface exposures, occurs at depth. Within the mapsheet, the Luscar Group is intersected, in the subsurface, in the 2400 to 3500 meter deep range. If depth of burial is not a deterrent, the presence of (thick ?) coals of low to medium volatile bituminous rank could indicate the area has potential for coalbed methane. The entire area of the accompanying map, RCM7, contains Luscar sediments at depth. Additional work is required to establish and evaluate coalbed methane resource potential of the Luscar Group in the area.

The mapsheet contains coals of the Cutbank and the Kakwa coal measures of the Wapiti Group. These coals should also be considered for their coalbed methane potential. The coals have a rank of high volatile bituminous C to sub-bituminous B. Coalbed methane potential, while (probably) not as high as the Luscar Group coals, should not be excluded.

Based on existing data, potential surface-mineable coal resources may be contained within the Kakwa coal measure. Additional mapping and mechanical exploration programs are required to establish and quantify both coal quantity and quality. For most of the remaining map area, little data is available and the coal development potential is somewhat uncertain.