AGGREGATE – Sand, gravel and crushed rock is
the number one non-fuel mineral resource in the United States in terms
of volume and value. In the United States, there are approximately 10,000
active quarries, which yields millions of tons of aggregate. It is becoming
increasingly difficult to mine aggregate due to conflicting land uses,
zoning, citizen opposition, inability to obtain permits, and environmental
issues. Nevertheless, it is estimated that more aggregate will need
to be produced during the next 25 years than has been mined during the
previous 100 years.
Virtually everything we build requires aggregate materials, either
as an engineered soil base for stability or in the form of concrete
or asphalt products. Aggregate is used both in and under our roads,
highways, streets, sidewalks, airports, railways, parking lots, sewers,
foundations and in the buildings themselves. Other specialty uses include
pre-cast concrete products, filtration in septic fields, backfill in
underground mines, winter road sanding and armoring 'rip-rap', which
prevents erosion on shorelines and water courses. In spite of the enormous
technological strides over the last century, there are still no economically
viable substitutes for aggregate in the construction industry. Aggregate
is a critical resource for the province, as important as water and electricity.
At Newton Consultants we are dedicated to assisting our client in properly
documenting all stages of aggregate mine extraction. We will assure
that extracting aggregate resources is done with minimal impact to the
environmental.
Some environmental impacts from aggregate extraction are engineering-related.
The most obvious impacts are the physical and visual changes to the
landscape. We at Newton reduce the effects of habitat loss, blasting,
noise, dust, erosion, and sedimentation through integrated engineering,
geologic and environmental planning.
Newton Consultants recognizes environmental impacts associated with
aggregate extraction and utilizes systems analysis and risk analysis
techniques. Using these methods aggregate mining can be planned and
managed to help account for environmental impact.