The Bowron River Coalfield

NTS Map Sheet 93H/13

Download map of the Bowron River Coalfield (1:100,000)

The Bowron River Coalfield (1:100,000) (PDF, 2.4MB)

 

An area of Tertiary coal-bearing rocks is preserved in a graben-like structure covering 47.5 square kilometres along the Bowron River south of the Yellowhead Highway. Three coal seams with a cumulative thickness of 8.5 metres are contained in the lower 75 metres of a 600 metre sedimentary section. The seams dip at 20° to 60° limiting any surface-mining potential. The deposit is noteworthy because it contains amber occurrences. There has been some underground exploration for coal and amber, but no mining. Coal rank is high-volatile C and B bituminous.

References

(compiled July 2000)

  • Linds, R.K., 1981. Bowron River Progress Report. Geological Fieldwork 1981, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1982-1, pages 227-228
  • Matheson, A. and Sadre, M., 1990. Subsurface Coal Sampling Survey, Bowron River Coal Deposits, Central British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1990, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1991-1, pages 391-397