Industrial Minerals of the Western Canada Basin

Abstract The Western Canada Basin is a storehouse of vast industrial mineral wealth. All of the Phanerozoic systems are represented in the basin and most of them have contributed or have the potential of contributing useful industrial mineral commodities. Producing deposits and significant occurrences are scattered throughout the more populous southern region of the basin (Fig. 6D.1, 6D.2). Commodities of low value such as sand and gravel, brick clay, and expandable clays tend to be relatively common and widespread. Development of these therefore tends to be concentrated around urban centres close to markets. Others, such as refractory clays, gypsum, cement raw materials, and lime are processed or used in manufacturing end products, whose added value permits transportation over relatively long distances. Some commodities, potash and sulphur for example, have gained global significance. Production of industrial minerals in the Western Canada Basin accounts for about 65% of the total value of Canadian production, of which about 75% is contributed by sulphur and potash (Table 6D.1). Reviews of industrial minerals have been published recently for Manitoba (Bannatyne, 1984a; Davies et al., 1962; Fogwill, 1983), for Saskatchewan (Guliov, 1984; Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, 1983) and for Alberta (Hamilton, 1976, 1984). An earlier summary of the industrial minerals of the western provinces was published by Douglas (1970).