The Telkwa Coalfield

Last updated on April 26, 2019

NTS Map Sheets:  93L/10,11,14,15 ​

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

The Telkwa Coalfield (1:100,000) (PDF, 1.3MB)

Download map of coalfields of the Bowser Basin (1:1,000,000)

Coalfields of the Bowser Basin (1:1,000,000) (PDF, 3.2MB)

The Telkwa coalfield in northwest B.C. extends for approximately 50 kilometres along the Bulkley River, from north of the Town of Smithers to south of the Village of Telkwa. Historically, thermal coal was mined from the coalfield in the early part of the 20th century to heat homes locally. The Telkwa Coalfield produced approximately 433,000 tons of thermal coal in the period 1918 to 1970.

Coal is hosted by the Early Cretaceous Skeena Group, which is divided into four units. The lowest (unit 1) contains a single coal zone, and unit 3, which averages 90 metres in thickness, contains over 10 seams of mineable thickness. The seams are folded into open folds and broken by thrusts and normal faults. The coal is generally high-volatile A bituminous but in a few locations rank increases to anthracite.

In 2017 Allegiance Coal Limited released a reserve estimate for the Telkwa property of 62.9 million tonnes (proven and probable) calculated by SRK Consulting Canada Limited.

The Telkwa coalfield is estimated to contain approximately 0.13 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. A major natural gas pipeline passes through the coalfield, providing access to local or continental natural gas markets.

Selected references

  • Holuszko, M.E., Matheson, A., and Grieve, D.A., 1992. Pyrite Occurrences in Telkwa and Quinsam Coal Seams. Geological Fieldwork 1992, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1993-1, pages 527-546.
  • Koo, J., 1982. Telkwa Coalfield, West-Central British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1982, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1983-1, pages 113-122.
  • Koo., J., 1983. The Telkwa, Red Rose and Klappan Coal Measures in Northwestern British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1983, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1984-1, pages 81-90.
  • Matheson, A.H. and Van den Bussche, B., 1989. Subsurface Coal Sampling Survey, Telkwa Area, Central British Columbia (93L/11). Geological Fieldwork 1989, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1990-1, pages 445-448.
  • Malott, M.L., 1989. Telkwa Coal North (093L 152); in Exploration in British Columbia 1989, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 175-179.
  • Palsgrove, R.J. and Bustin, R.M., 1989. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Lower Skeena Group, Telkwa Coalfield, Central British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1989, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1990-1, pages 449-454.
  • Palsgrove, R.J. and Bustin, R.M., 1991. Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Coal Quality of the Lower Skeena Group, Telkwa Coalfield, Central British Columbia; B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1991-2.
  • Ryan, B.D. and Dawson, M.F., 1993. Potential Coal and Coalbed Methane Resource of the Telkwa Coalfield, Central British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1993, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1994-1, pages 225-243.
  • Ryan, B.D. and Ledda, A., 1997. A Review of Sulphur in Coal: With Specific Reference to the Telkwa Deposit, North-Western British Columbia. Geological Fieldwork 1997, B.C. Ministry of Employment and Investment, Paper 1998-1, pages 29-1 to 29-21.
  • Ryan, B.D., 1990. Geology and Potential Coal and Coalbed Methane Resources of the Seaton Coal Basin (93M/3,7). Exploration in British Columbia 1990, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 153-167.
  • Ryan, B.D., 1990. Density of Coals from the Telkwa Coal Property, Northwestern British Columbia, (93L/11). Geological Fieldwork 1990, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1991-1, pages 399-406.
  • Ryan, B.D., 1991. Coal Rank Variations in the Telkwa Coalfield, Central British Columbia (93L/11). Geological Fieldwork 1991, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1992-1, pages 451-460.
  • Ryan, B.D., 1993. Geology of the Telkwa Coalfield, British Columbia. B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 1993-21.
  • Ryan, B.D., 1996. Coal Rank Variations in the Cabinet Creek Area, Telkwa Coalfield, Central British Columbia (93L/11). Geological Fieldwork 1996, B.C. Ministry of Employment and Investment, Paper 1997-1, pages 365-372.
  • Telkwa Coal, 1978. Telkwa Coal; in Geology in British Columbia 1977-1981, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, page 129.
  • White, G.V., 1986. Guess Creek Coal Deposit. Exploration in British Columbia 1986, B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages B65-B70.