Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Interactive Maps

The interactive map system includes a print feature which prepares a pdf document based on the information and print format you select.  You must have installed a recent version of Acrobat Reader to print.  For more information, please refer to the Manual for Interactive Maps.

You cannot print an interactive map for the entire Province, if you require a provincial map please use the PDF version. 

Once you have generated a PDF image of a map for printing purposes, you can save a copy of the PDF image using the Save feature in your browser. Alternatively, the Save Project feature in the system allows you to save the criteria you selected to come up with the current map. If you open a saved project, it will show the current status of that location. Please refer to the Manual for Interactive Maps for further instructions.
 

Interactive maps are updated overnight. The updated version is usually available by 4 a.m. If there are technical problems in updating, the updated version may not be available until later. However, you can still apply for agreements based on the information available. The Department will verify which lands are currently available. 

A new map is generated daily whether or not there are any changes. In addition to change in mineral rights dispositions, a new edition may show changes in client identification, restrictions, map features, etc. 

On the Interactive Map, you may see discrepancies between the area of the restriction and the actual location of the park or other restricted area. In these situations, the park boundary is more accurate. The restriction data layer is a different data layer from the park boundary layer. The discrepancy occurs when a restriction has been entered based on the nearest land key (Section, Quarter Section or Legal Subdivision), rather than the actual boundaries. For example, if a park boundary cuts through a section, the restriction may show the whole section as being unavailable. In these situations, turning off the restriction layer may give you a more accurate picture. However, keep in mind that a restriction near a park boundary may be there for other reasons. When applying on lands with this kind of discrepancy, the most accurate information on the actual boundary of the restricted area (e.g. a park) is available in the reports you can generate within the interactive map system. Where such discrepancies exist, you may apply for sections or legals that show as restricted, and the Department will exclude any unavailable lands when processing your application. 

No. Each mineral type has its own set of restrictions and freehold (non-Crown) mineral rights are specific to each mineral type. For example, in a location where coal rights are unavailable due to restrictions, there may be no restrictions on oil and gas rights. Or, where the coal is freehold, metallic and industrial minerals may be Crown. When viewing restrictions and freehold mineral ownership, always use the map that pertains to the mineral of interest. Again, more detailed information is available in the reports you can generate within the interactive map system. 

A zip file containing the provincail Metallic and Industial Minerals Agreement data is available within the interactive map.  To access this zip file use the downward arrow icon. 

Your session will time out after 15 minutes. This time-out occurs for all interactive services on the Alberta Energy website, not just the interactive map system. If this happens when you are using an interactive map, you will get a warning message. The map display will go back to the province-wide view and all displays and data selections will re-set to the default. To avoid losing your interactive map session, use the Bookmark function to save the location or use the Save Project function to save the selections made during a session. Please refer to the Interactive Map Manual for instructions on how to use these features.  

Check to see if any Pop Up Blockers are turned on in your local system. If they are, turn them off, exit your Web browser and then reconnect to the Web Site. If you are still having problems, you may send a note to “Feedback” in the interactive map system. If you cannot access “Feedback” in the system, please e-mail CMD.Energy@gov.ab.ca or phone the Coal and Mineral Development Unit at 780-427-7707.  To call toll-free within Alberta, dial 310-0000 first.  

Characteristic	Interactive Map	PDF Version of Map
Updating	Usually updated once a day by 4:00 a.m. based on the previous day's data updates.	Usually updated once a day by 11:00 a.m., based on the previous day's data updates.
Zoom in/out	When you zoom in you will be able to view information and details that are not available at lower resolution	When you zoom in, you get a higher magnification of the same image and the same information. At higher resolution the image may become blurred.
Moving around the Map	Can turn on/off data layers Can move Up/Down, Right/Left Can move diagonally Can move to a Location by selecting a key (e.g. township, NTS map sheet)	Can only move Up/Down, Right/Left
Information detail	At higher resolution, the information is displayed as entered in the database from which the map is generated. The display is as detailed as the source data.	Information is plotted to the nearest section.
Data layers available	More data layers than in pdf	What you see is what you get, cannot change the data layers.
Changing what is shown on the Map	A wide range of options for selecting an area; turning data layers on and off, etc.	What you see is what you get, cannot change the data display.
Information reports	Can be generated based on current selection	Not available. You need an LSAS search to get this information.