b'ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPThe completed studies support the devel- are involved during this process and ensureAggregate producers pay fees per tonne opment of detailed site plans that describethat the appropriate review has taken placeof aggregate material shipped from their theproposedoperationsindetail.Siteprior to issuing the required permits. site. These fees are paid to provincial and plans are the core of an application for anmunicipalgovernmentstooffsetwear aggregate licence and include documenta- ACTIVE SITES andtearontheroads,helpadminister tion of the existing conditions of the prop- Aggregate material is extracted using heavyregulation of the industry, and support the erty, how the aggregate will be extracted,equipment. The material is mechanicallyrehabilitation of legacy pits and quarries.and the final rehabilitated conditions afterseparated into different sizes using screens. the material is removed. Throughout theCertain products require washing to rinseREHABILITATIONlicenceapplicationprocess,thepublic,off the fine particles, which is carried outRehabilitationisanongoingactivityat Indigenouscommunities,governmentusing a wash plant. No chemicals are usedaggregateoperations.Progressivelyreha-agenciesandneighboursareinvolvedinthisprocess.Thisprocessingcreatesbilitatingportionsofthesiteassoonas andconsulted.Ifapproved,siteplansdifferentblendsandtypesofmaterialis reasonable is beneficial in many ways. legallygoverntheaggregateoperationsdemanded by the market. Aggregates areProgressiverehabilitationminimizesthe fromstartthroughtocompletionofshipped via truck to the consumer.open areas of a pit or quarry, reducing dust finalrehabilitation. and soil erosion. Progressive rehabilitation During operations, environmental controlseven reduces costs for the operator because OPENING A PIT OR QUARRY (asdefinedbythebackgroundstudiesandmaterials placed directly in rehabilitation Oncealicenceisgrantedthroughthesiteplans)areimplementedandaggregateare only moved once.licensing process, the site plans outline inproducersmustadheretothemonitoring aprescriptivemannerhowthesiteistoand mitigation requirements outlined in theirTherehabilitationplanapprovedat be prepared in order to ensure that safetypermits. Groundwater as well as surface waterlicensingdeterminestheenduseofthe andenvironmentalconditionsaremet.monitoring programs are initiated to ensuresite.Afteraggregateisextracteditis Sitepreparationisgenerallydesignedtothere are no impacts from the operation onreturnedtoproductivewildlifehabitat, assist with noise, dust and traffic controllocal water quantity andquality.wetlands,recreationalareas,urbanuses, through the construction of berms alongNoisemaybemonitoredtoensureconservation lands, forests or agriculture. thepropertyboundaries,improvementscompliancewithsoundlevellimitsandTheoperatorisrequiredtoestablish to roads and entrances and the planting ofdust is mitigated onsite. Quarries typicallythis new land use before the licence may vegetation. Additional permits may also berequireblastingoftherock.BlastsareNatural Resources and Forestry.besurrenderedbacktotheMinistryof required if water is being handled or usedregularlymonitoredtoensuretheyare onsite or a processing plant is being locatedwithin limits established by the Ministry ofLife Cycle of a Pit or Quarry is available as a within the property. Appropriate agenciesthe Environment, Conservation and Parks.brochure on gravelfacts.ca/resources. Automated Engineering Technologies Ltd.Serving the Aggregate Industry Since 1993Surveying and Technical Services- Aerial Surveys- Topographic Ground Surveys- Stockpile Volume Analysis- Overburden . Reserve Volume Surveys949 Wilson Avenue Phone: 1-416-633-9670 StratfordGuelphToronto, ONM3K 1G2 Fax: 1-416-633-6765 (519)273-9318 (519)821-8644Web: www.cocogroup.comwww.autoengtech.on.ca28 AVENUESWINTER 2021'