Coal Prices

Question

I have a user looking for coal prices. She is looking at the coal fired electricity plants in Ontario and wants to know the coat of coal.

Answer

The Manufacturing, Construction and Energy Division has confirmed that they don't publish prices for coal. Coal consumption and production data are available in Chapter 7 of the Energy Statistics Handbook, 57-601-XWE at:
http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=57-601-X, but not prices.

Your user may also be interested in:
- CANSIM Table 330-0006 "Raw materials price indexes, monthly (index, 1997=100)" will give you a monthly price index for the price of coal (thermal) from 1991 to 2007. This will tell how you the price of coal (thermal) has varied over time. I checked with our Prices Division and they can't provide actual coal prices, only indexes.

- Although more general, your student may wish to consult the other coal related STC products and publications available at
http://cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/cnsmcgi.pgm?lang=E&SP_Action=Sub&SP_ID=486

- And finally, NRCAN has an interesting Mineral and Metal Commodity Review for Coal (2005) at
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/ms/cmy/content/2005/22.pdf .
The author or the NRCAN Minerals and Mining Statistics Division
(http://mmsd1.mms.nrcan.gc.ca/mmsd/contact_e.asp)
may have some suggestions for you as well if you contact them directly.