In January 2025, Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean lifted the 2022 moratorium on coal exploration and development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, sparking a heated debate over the economic value and environmental cost of coal mining in the province.At the centre of this debate are Alberta’s metallurgical coal reserves, concentrated along the eastern slopes and throughout the foothills. Unlike thermal coal — which Alberta has already phased out for electricity generation—metallurgical, or “coking,” coal is an essential ingredient in high-grade steelmaking. It is converted into coke, a high-carbon, porous material that fuels blast furnaces around the world.According to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), metallurgical bituminous coal made up 7.1% of all marketable coal produced in the province in 2024. .Northback’s controversial Grassy Mountain coal project approved after heated public hearings.One of the primary producers in the province, the Grande Cache mine, shipped 0.5 megatonnes of metallurgical coal to South Korea last year, highlighting Alberta’s crucial role in supplying the Asian market’s growing demand.“Steel is the backbone of manufacturing, construction, transport, and green technologies,” said Robin Campbell, president of the Coal Association of Alberta in an Edmonton Journal op-ed. “Our province has the potential to be a global leader in the development of steelmaking coal.”According to The Coal Hub, 49.9 million tonnes of Canadian coal was exported in 2023, with 85% shipped through Vancouver and 13% through Prince Rupert. Almost all of those exports were metallurgical coal.From there, over half of Canada’s metallurgical coal exports go to Japan, where advanced ultra-supercritical (USC) and supercritical (SC) technologies improve efficiency and reduce emissions. China — the world’s largest steel producer — also remains a key buyer of Alberta’s coal..HANNAFORD: Saying the unsayable about coal... it's still the way to go.Despite opposition from environmental groups and global climate policies pushed by international governments such as net-zero targets, steel demand shows no signs of slowing. The World Steel Association (WSA) reports that 71% of global steel production in 2024 still relies on metallurgical coal, and this is expected to remain stable for at least the next two decades.The United Nations also projects the global population will reach 9.8 billion by 2050, driving up demand for more energy production and steel use in infrastructure projects ranging from bridges and railways to high-rises and shipping.Industry analysts argue that Alberta’s coal is among the cleanest and most responsibly mined in the world. With global demand for steelmaking coal forecast to increase by 50% by mid-century, proponents say the province is well-positioned to seize the opportunity.“Alberta can unlock its full potential, driving economic growth and securing a prosperous future for all its residents,” Campbell said. “The time to act is now.”
