Coal is B.C.’s most valuable mineral. In 2001, provincial
coal production was valued at about $1.5 billion — roughly
half of the total value of mineral production.
The province produces about 25 million tonnes of coal each
year. Production levels have been relatively steady since the
late 1980s.
Total coal resources in B.C. are estimated at about 23 billion
tonnes. That represents about 100 times more than is required
to meet the province’s total energy needs for the next
120 years.
Provincial Reserves
Billion tonnes
Mine Reserves
0.6
Other Reserves
22.4
Total Reserve Estimate
23
Billions of tonnes of coal remain to be extracted from areas
including Comox, Telkwa, Tulameen and the Peace River region
near the Alberta border.
The coal industry paid nearly $18 million in direct provincial
taxes and supported about 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in
2000-01.
Seven coal mines are active in the province. These mines are
in the Kootenays, Northeast and on Vancouver Island.
Most of the coal produced in B.C. is exported
About 50 per cent to Japan.
The remainder largely to Europe, Korea and South America.
