The BC Geological Survey maintains a large library of coal assessment reports in Victoria, dating from 1900. These have been submitted by exploration companies in compliance with the Coal Act. This library is available for public viewing and copying at:

Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources - Library
1st Floor, 1810 Blanshard Street
Victoria, B.C.  V8W 9N3

Partial libraries are located in the district geology offices.

Exploration data from the assessment reports have been summarized and stored in a computer information system called COALFILE, which provides a quick and efficient method for handling the large volume of data.

Information in COALFILE is organized in six record types or files. These files consist of:

1. Summary of data in reports
2. Comments concerning the reports
3. Record of maps in the reports
4. Trench information
5. Adit or Pit information
6. Borehole information

All six record types are sequential files with 230 characters per line. COALFILE is maintained on both mainframe and micro computers. Diskettes are MS-DOS compatible. The tape format is EBCDIC or ASCII, FB, LRECL = 230, BLKSIZE = 2300.

All output in raw data format is accompanied by a description of the record structures and code tables.

COSTS - There is a minimum charge of $25.00 per request.

RAW DATA
1. HARDCOPY - Listings greater than 2 500 records will cost an additional 1 cent per record.
2. DISKETTES - Straight file copying will cost $25.00 per diskette.
3. CUSTOMIZED RETRIEVALS - The minimum charge is $25.00 plus $25.00 per hour for selective retrievals.
4. FREE DOWNLOAD - COALFILE Tables

ADDITIONAL OUTPUT
1. ASSESSMENT REPORT LISTING - A summary index of all the reports on file at the Ministry in Victoria. (Cost $5.00)
2. DETAILED CODING FORMS: Indicate the data items in each file. (Cost $2.00)
3. PHOTOCOPYING of reports is done by a private Victoria firm at current copying rates.

NOTE: There is a three-year confidential period for coal exploration assessment reports; only non-confidential information is publically available.

For more information contact the BC Geological Survey.