Identification_Information:

    Citation:

      Citation_Information:

        Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

        Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

        Publication_Date: 2026

        Title: Minerals of Alberta Map

        Edition: v.2

        Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

        Series_Information:

          Series_Name: Map

          Issue_Identification: MAP 655

        Publication_Information:

          Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

          Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

        Other_Citation_Details: 1:1250000 ISBN: 978-1-4601-5732-9

        Online_Linkage: https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/map-655

    Description:

      Abstract: This Minerals of Alberta map presents a current view of non-energy mineral resources in Alberta and the extents of prospective areas for the exploration of undiscovered resources. Resources included are minerals and other materials naturally occurring in rocks and sediments, as well as minerals that may be recoverable as by-products of industrial processes. Minerals or materials included are ammolite, bentonite, boron, bromine, calcium/magnesium chloride, clay, cobalt, copper, diamonds, dolomite, fly ash, gold, gypsum, humalite, iodine, iron, lead, limestone, lithium, magnetite, marl and/or tufa, metallurgical coal, molybdenum, nickel, peat, phosphate, potash, pumicite, rare-earth elements, salt, sand and gravel, shale, silica sand, sodium sulphate, silver, sulphur, thorium, titanium, uranium, vanadium, zinc, and zirconium. The intent of the map is to inform industry, government, and the public of Alberta's mineral deposits and potential, and raise awareness of economic development opportunities. This publication serves as an update to the previously published Minerals of Alberta map (AGS Map 590), with the addition of newly available data. The product includes minerals and other material that naturally occur in rocks and sediments as well as minerals and materials that can be recovered as by-products from industrial processes.

The map highlights select locations with current and past production, as well as the locations of selected exploration projects that are deemed by the authors to have the potential to become mineable in the future, if conditions are favourable. The details about these selected producers, past producers, and projects were compiled from publicly available information including mineral assessment reports, industry technical reports, academic papers, and government publications and datasets.

The map also highlights areas deemed prospective for the exploration of minerals from a geological perspective. Prospective areas were outlined using geological maps, three-dimensional geological models, mineral occurrence datasets, geochemical and geophysical data, mineralogical data, mineral agreements and dispositions, mineral resource estimates, and satellite imagery. Information was derived from government, academia, and industry publications. These areas constitute regions for the exploration of undiscovered resources outlined at a provincial scale. No attempt was made to quantify or rank overall mineral prospectivity, probability, or potential.

The Minerals of Alberta map is a simplified cartographic view of more detailed digital datasets with extensive tabular information.

The Minerals of Alberta map and digital files that are included with this publication are:

1. AGS Map 655: Minerals of Alberta (PDF format)

2. AGS Map 655: Minerals of Alberta Map Information Document (PDF format)

3. AGS Digital Data 2025-0010: Selected Producers, Past Producers, and Exploration Projects of Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

4. AGS Digital Data 2025-0008: Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta (GIS data, polygon features)

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

      Purpose: To provide the public a view of the mineral resources (producers, past producers and exploration projects) in Alberta as well as the extent of areas prospective for the exploration of minerals in the province.

      Supplemental_Information:

    Time_Period_of_Content:

      Time Period Information:

        Single Date/Time:

          Calendar_Date: 2025

    Currentness_Reference: compilation date

  Status:

    Progress: Complete

    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

  Spatial Domain:

    Bounding Coordinates:

      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -120

      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -110

      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 60

      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 49

  Keywords:

    Theme:

      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

      Theme_Keyword: ammolite

      Theme_Keyword: bentonite

      Theme_Keyword: boron

      Theme_Keyword: bromine

      Theme_Keyword: building stone

      Theme_Keyword: calcium chloride

      Theme_Keyword: clay

      Theme_Keyword: coal

      Theme_Keyword: cobalt

      Theme_Keyword: copper

      Theme_Keyword: diamond

      Theme_Keyword: dolomite

      Theme_Keyword: exploration

      Theme_Keyword: fly ash

      Theme_Keyword: geology

      Theme_Keyword: gold

      Theme_Keyword: gypsum

      Theme_Keyword: humalite

      Theme_Keyword: industrial minerals

      Theme_Keyword: iodine

      Theme_Keyword: iron

      Theme_Keyword: lead

      Theme_Keyword: limestone

      Theme_Keyword: lithium

      Theme_Keyword: magnesium

      Theme_Keyword: magnetite

      Theme_Keyword: marl

      Theme_Keyword: metallic minerals

      Theme_Keyword: mineral deposits

      Theme_Keyword: mineral occurrences

      Theme_Keyword: minerals

      Theme_Keyword: mines

      Theme_Keyword: molybdenum

      Theme_Keyword: nickel

      Theme_Keyword: peat

      Theme_Keyword: phosphate

      Theme_Keyword: potash

      Theme_Keyword: rare earth elements

      Theme_Keyword: salt

      Theme_Keyword: sand and gravel

      Theme_Keyword: shale

      Theme_Keyword: silica sand

      Theme_Keyword: silver

      Theme_Keyword: sodium sulphate

      Theme_Keyword: sulphur

      Theme_Keyword: thorium

      Theme_Keyword: titanium

      Theme_Keyword: tufa

      Theme_Keyword: uranium

      Theme_Keyword: vanadium

      Theme_Keyword: zinc

      Theme_Keyword: zirconium

      Theme_Keyword: mineral mapping program

    Place:

      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category

      Place_Keyword: alberta

      Place_Keyword: canada

  Access_Constraints: Public

  Use_Constraints: Acknowledgement of the Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey as the originator/source of this information is required as described in the Open Government License - Alberta.

  Point_of_Contact:

    Contact_Information:

      Contact_Organization_Primary:

        Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

        Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

      Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

      Contact_Address:

        Address_Type: mailing and physical

        Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

        Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

        Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

        City: Edmonton

        State_or_Province: Alberta

        Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

        Country: Canada

      Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

      Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  Cross_Reference:

    Citation_Information:

      Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

      Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

      Publication_Date: 202511

      Title: Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta (GIS data, polygon features)

      Edition: v.2

      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

      Series_Information:

        Series_Name: Digital Data

        Issue_Identification: DIG 2025-0008

      Publication_Information:

        Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

        Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

      Online_Linkage: https://ags.aer.ca

  Cross_Reference:

    Citation_Information:

      Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

      Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

      Originator: Morley, E.C.

      Originator: Birnie, C.

      Originator: Meek, D.M.

      Publication_Date: 202511

      Title: Mineral Occurrences of Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

      Series_Information:

        Series_Name: Digital Data

        Issue_Identification: DIG 2025-0009

      Publication_Information:

        Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

        Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

      Online_Linkage: https://ags.aer.ca

  Cross_Reference:

    Citation_Information:

      Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

      Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

      Originator: Birnie, C.

      Publication_Date: 2025

      Title: Selected Producers, Past Producers, and Exploration Projects of Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

      Series_Information:

        Series_Name: Digital Data

        Issue_Identification: DIG 2025-0010

      Publication_Information:

        Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

        Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

      Online_Linkage: https://ags.aer.ca

Data_Quality_Information:

  Attribute_Accuracy:

    Attribute_Accuracy_Report: n/a

  Logical_Consistency_Report: The locations of selected producers, past producers, and exploration projects were checked for spatial uniqueness.

The selected prospective areas for mineral exploration may not represent contiguous topologically correct polygons nor are they edge matched. Gaps or overlaps may exist between polygons of different commodity or deposit type. Therefore, some polygons may be partially or wholly covered by other polygons.

  Completeness_Report: This map and its associated datasets cover all of Alberta. Not all rocks or minerals that have historically been documented as having minerals of economic interest were included in the map. The data were compiled from various maps and reports. No effort was made to verify that the methods for testing and observations were correct or consistent among them. This map is at the provincial scale and local adjustments to resource estimates or other property-scale data have not been made because there is insufficient data density to do so.

The producers, past producers, and exploration projects displayed on the map were chosen from a more comprehensive mineral occurrences dataset and do not reflect every occurrence in the province. The majority of producers were extracted from government data, however some commodity types could not be found in government data (e.g., ammolite) and other publications were used to complete the list of producers. The selection of past producers may not be complete as older past producers may not have been recorded in government reports or data. The selection of exploration projects is not comprehensive as AGS staff conducted a subjective assessment of projects that have a higher level of exploration and development, with an active mineral agreement.

The prospective area polygons displayed on the map reflect a smaller subset of the polygons contained within the Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta shapefile (DIG 2025-0008) included in the publication as certain commodities were deemed not as economically important or obscured other polygons. Polygons were not generated for every commodity type documented as having minerals of economic interest. As some geological units of interest were undifferentiated in regional maps and 3D provincial geological framework models, the prospective areas may be larger than expected as the unit of interest is contained within those undifferentiated units.

  Positional_Accuracy:

    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

   Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Location information of mineral occurrences, included in the Selected Producers, Past Producers, & Exploration Projects layer (DIG 2025-0010), was derived from a multitude of different sources, including government data, technical industry reports, mineral assessment reports, and academic papers. As such, the horizontal positional accuracy varies greatly depending on the original source of the data. Users are encouraged to review the source reference(s) for each occurrence to assess positional accuracy. Additionally, each occurrence may represent multiple sample locations, drillholes, open pits, etc. The producer and past producer locations represent the approximate centroid of the quarry or mine. Past producer locations were derived from historical datasets that were found to be up to 1000 metres away from the true location. Some of these locations were corrected but accuracy/true location for others was unknown. Therefore, the estimated accuracy of these point locations is +/- 1000 metres.

Prospective area polygons, included in the Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta shapefile (DIG 2025-0008), were generally delineated from AGS geological maps, publicly available industry maps, AGS 3D provincial geological framework models, and mineral occurrence datasets. The estimated accuracy of the primary input map datasets for polygon shapes is +/- 1500 metres. Generalization of map polygons by using a 500-metre buffer applied to the data further reduced positional accuracy by 500 metres. No effort was made to systematically verify the accuracy of historical mineral datasets. Some mineral occurrence locations for geological units do not plot within their corresponding bedrock geology polygons. This may mean some occurrences are inaccurately located, or the bedrock geology is inaccurately mapped, or the geological unit assigned to the occurrence is incorrect. The estimated positional accuracy is +/- 3000 metres. Therefore, the prospective areas are intended for use at 1:1 250 000 scale or smaller.

    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

   Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: The polygons are not z-enabled, however, some features include depth attributes. These depths were produced from both well data and geological models and represent rough vertical maximum and minimum extents of the prospective areas. The depths are generalized over large spatial areas and may not be accurate in all locations. Therefore, the estimated vertical accuracy of these attributes is +/- 250 metres.

  Lineage:

    Source_Information:

      Source_Citation:

        Citation_Information:

          Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

          Publication_Date: 202511

          Title: Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta (GIS data, polygon features)

          Edition: v.2

          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

          Series_Information:

            Series_Name: Digital Data

            Issue_Identification: DIG 2025-0008

          Publication_Information:

            Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

            Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

          Online_Linkage: N:\InfoStore\Publications\DIG\ZIP\DIG_2025_0008.zip

   Source_Scale_Denominator:

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

        Source Time Period of Content:

          Time Period Information:

            Single Date/Time:

       Calendar_Date: 202511

     Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

     Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DIG 2025-0008

     Source_Contribution: Vector data of prospective areas for mineral exploration in Alberta.

    Source_Information:

      Source_Citation:

        Citation_Information:

          Originator: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Originator: Alberta Geological Survey

          Originator: Birnie, C.

          Publication_Date: 2025

          Title: Selected Producers, Past Producers, and Exploration Projects of Alberta (tabular data, tab-delimited format)

          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data

          Series_Information:

            Series_Name: Digital Data

            Issue_Identification: DIG 2025-0010

          Publication_Information:

            Publication_Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

            Publisher: Alberta Geological Survey

          Online_Linkage: N:\InfoStore\Publications\DIG\ZIP\DIG_2025_0010.zip

   Source_Scale_Denominator:

   Type_of_Source_Media: online

        Source Time Period of Content:

          Time Period Information:

            Single Date/Time:

       Calendar_Date: 2025

     Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

     Source_Citation_Abbreviation: DIG 2025-0010

     Source_Contribution: Location and commodity data and information for producers, past producers, and exploration projects

    Process_Step:

   Process_Description: The methodology used to produce this version of the Minerals of Alberta map closely follows that of the previous edition (AGS Map 590). The map displays the locations of selected mineral occurrences, as well as the surface and subsurface extents of areas with mineral potential, referred to as prospective areas.

An up-to-date mineral occurrence dataset was critical for developing the Minerals of Alberta map, as mineral occurrences provide insights into the types of mineral systems present, their relationship to known geological features, and their potential extent. For this project, the AGS conducted a comprehensive internal update of its existing mineral occurrence datasets (DIG 2019-0026 & DIG 2019-0027).

Occurrences were sourced from AGS publications, mineral assessment reports, industry publications, academic research, and other publicly available materials. Existing entries were also reviewed and updated where outdated information or data gaps were identified. The inclusion of a field site as a mineral occurrence is inherently subjective and based on a combination of geochemical data, geological and geophysical features, and exploration history. For this project, AGS staff used geochemical cut-offs—derived from academic literature and dataset statistics—as an initial filter to identify potential occurrences. However, inclusion was based on a comprehensive interpretation of all available data. For instance, a sample might exceed geochemical thresholds (based on the mean and standard deviation of a dataset) but be excluded if its lithology was inconsistent with a plausible mineral system. Geological and geophysical data were qualitatively evaluated to support occurrence identification. Mineral occurrences were classified into the following categories: producer, past producer, project with resource estimate, prospect, showing, anomalies, and failed test. Thirty-four commodities were selected as exhibiting enough well documented, updated data or are relatively more explored to include for this project.

The updated mineral occurrences dataset was used to generate a subset of occurrences to display on the Minerals of Alberta map. All selected producers, past producers, and exploration projects in the province were deemed significant in scope and development. A tab-delimited overview version of this data (Selected Producers, Past Producers, and Exploration Projects, AGS Digital Data 2025-0010) is contained within this publication so users can quickly plot and view these selected occurrences. For further information, including detailed methodology and references please see the Information Document included in the ZIP file for this map.

   Process_Date: 2025

      Process_Step:

    Process_Description: A prospective area for mineral exploration is defined as a region with a permissive geology for the presence of a mineral deposit and, therefore, favourable for the exploration of that mineral. These areas represent mineral tracts with a higher likelihood of containing undiscovered deposits. This version of the Minerals of Alberta map required an update of the previously published prospective areas for mineral exploration (DIG 2019-0025). Prospective areas were delineated by identifying areas around known mineral occurrences that share ore mineralogy and other physical and genetic characteristics. This process involved compiling extensive publicly available data and reviewing numerous publications to understand the nature and main characteristics of the different occurrences so they could be assigned to deposit types that are or may be present in the province. The delineation also required integrating regional and local geological information.

For each deposit type considered, a list of prospective geological units was identified as the primary criteria for delineating prospective areas. Geological units included stratigraphic units, intrusions, and structures (faults, shear zones, tectonic zones, etc.). The selection of the geological units to be considered as prospective areas was based on one or more of the following criteria:

- presence of mineral occurrences,

- identification by previous authors as having resource potential,

- key geological characteristics conducive to the formation of mineral deposits.

The geometry of prospective areas (i.e., polygon outlines) was taken from AGS geological maps, publicly available industry maps, or AGS 3D provincial geological framework models. The AGS maps and models were the primary data to define the maximum extent of prospective areas. More detailed geological maps or datasets, where available, were used to refine or subdivide the prospective areas.

A 500-metre buffer was sometimes used to simplify complex polygon shapes from maps and models and address cartographic uncertainty. Buffers around point occurrences were also a tool to define the geometry of a prospective area when map and model information was not available. When buffers were unknown, clustered mineral occurrences related to a deposit type were used to determine an average distance among occurrences or define a minimum bounding geometry polygon.

In some cases, the specific geological unit identified in reports was not differentiated in regional maps or the 3D provincial geological framework models and, therefore, that unit was made part of an undifferentiated greater unit. In that case, the greater unit was used as the identified prospective area.

The resulting GIS polygon shapefile (DIG 2025-0008, Prospective Areas for Mineral Exploration in Alberta) is contained within this publication. For further information, including detailed methodology and references please see the Information Document included in the ZIP file for this map.

    Process_Date: 2025

  Data_Quality_Information:

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

  Distribution_Information:

    Distributor:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Organization_Primary:

          Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

          Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type: mailing and physical

          Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

          Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

          City: Edmonton

          State_or_Province: Alberta

          Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

          Country: Canada

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

        Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Distribution_Liability: The Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey (AER/AGS) licenses this information under the Open Government License - Alberta. Any references to proprietary software in our documentation, and/or any use of proprietary data formats in our releases, do not constitute endorsement by the AER/AGS of any manufacturer's product.

  Metadata_Reference_Information:

    Metadata_Date: 20251208

    Metadata_Contact:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Organization_Primary:

          Contact_Organization: Alberta Geological Survey

          Contact_Person: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Position: AGS Information Manager

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type: mailing and physical

          Address: Alberta Energy Regulator

          Address: 2nd Floor, Twin Atria Building

          Address: 4999-98 Avenue NW

          City: Edmonton

          State_or_Province: Alberta

          Postal_Code: T6B 2X3

          Country: Canada

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: (780) 638-4491

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (780) 422-1459

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: AGS-Info@aer.ca

        Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

    Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

    Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

    Metadata_Access_Constraints: none

    Metadata_Use_Constraints: none