1. A hard, black, bituminous mineral or asphalt-like substance found in certain rock formations, used historically as a source of oil and fuel.
Usage: geology; rare; named after Albert County, New Brunswick, Canada, where it was first discovered

Examples

• Albertite deposits were mined in Nova Scotia during the 19th century for lamp oil.
• The black albertite samples showed the characteristic brittleness of bituminous minerals.
• Geologists studied the albertite formations to understand the region's petroleum history.
• Early oil companies extracted albertite as a precursor to modern petroleum refining.