There are up to six coal seams (layers) of coal at Genesee Mine located at varying depths. There are typically between 3 and 5 mineable coal seams ranging between 4 and 6 metres in combined thickness. The interburden (layer of dirt and sandstone) between the coal seams varies in thickness. The coal at Genesee is “sub-bituminous” meaning it is low in sulphur and burns hotter than other varieties of coal which makes it ideal for electricity production.

The Genesee mine operates two active pits and supplies sub-bituminous coal to the three units at the Genesee Generating Station which are owned by Capital Power and TransAlta Utilities and operated by Capital Power. Coal at the Genesee Mine is dug out of the ground using surface mining techniques to recover the coal. This process first involves using draglines to remove overlying soil and rock layers called “overburden” to expose and extract the coal reserves. Coal is uncovered using the two draglines (1 – M8750; 1 – M8200) and a pre-stripping fleet (1 – P&H 4100, 3 – 830E’s, 1-Cat 789). The exposed coal is hauled directly from the mine to the generating station.

- subscription is required.