Why This Matters:
Simcoe County is one of the largest aggregate producers, by volume, in Ontario. Aggregate operations frequently conflict with other land uses including agriculture and nearby residential. And while a need for aggregate exists, the province approves thirteen times more than what is annually consumed.
Gravel Mining is not a benign activity. It destroys the natural environment and changes communities forever. Gravel is a finite resource and while still in the ground it supports productive farmland, groundwater water filtration, flood mediation and other natural capital services. Gravel companies are not required to demonstrate that new sources of gravel mining are required. This has led to an oversupply of gravel permits as companies speculate land for future use.
We must also be aware that with a changing climate, reducing emissions is essential. Most aggregates are used to manufacture cement and construct buildings, roads, bridges, sewers and other infrastructure. The cement industry produces 8% of global carbon emissions — If it were a country, it would be the third largest global emitter of CO2.
Gravel Mining is not a benign activity. It destroys the natural environment and changes communities forever. Gravel is a finite resource and while still in the ground it supports productive farmland, groundwater water filtration, flood mediation and other natural capital services. Gravel companies are not required to demonstrate that new sources of gravel mining are required. This has led to an oversupply of gravel permits as companies speculate land for future use.
We must also be aware that with a changing climate, reducing emissions is essential. Most aggregates are used to manufacture cement and construct buildings, roads, bridges, sewers and other infrastructure. The cement industry produces 8% of global carbon emissions — If it were a country, it would be the third largest global emitter of CO2.
Did You Know…?
- Simcoe County annually produces over 11 and a half million tonnes of aggregate, on average Ontario Geological Survey (2103)
- There are over 100 licensed pits and quarries within Simcoe County with a total licensed area of almost 10,000 acres. Ontario Geological Survey (2103)
- Based on estimates from the Ontario Geological Survey (2103), combining licensed and unlicensed areas over 85,000 acres of land could be dedicated to aggregate extraction in Simcoe County
- Provincial water taking permits allow aggregate to extract up to 4.6 billion litres per day Reform Gravel Mining Coalition
- An estimated 5,000 acres of farmland per year are lost to aggregate activity in Ontario Reform Gravel Mining Coalition
What You Can Do As A Municipal Leader:
- Have your municipality pass a resolution to support a moratorium on new gravel mining approvals in Ontario. This pause on new approvals will allow time to consult on much needed policies such as prioritizing the use of recycled aggregate, policies that honour Indigenous treaty rights and set appropriate levies that reflect the full social and environmental costs of aggregate mining.
- Advocate to the province to ensure municipalities have a strong say in where aggregate can locate within a municipality, the levies they are charged and how they are distributed and transparency about aggregate need and production.
- Learn from local citizen groups directly affected by aggregate activity to understand how your residents are impacted and how local government can help.
- Become a municipal leader in using recycled aggregates and asphalt. Resource: https://www.tarba.org/leaders-and-laggards/