History of Aggregate Mining

Aggregate extraction has occurred in the Wood Buffalo region for years in order to meet demands of local construction, industry, and infrastructure development. With the rapid pace of oil sands development in the area, and the need of these developments for a consistent, high-quality supply of aggregate, the demand for aggregate resources in the area continues. Large recent or proposed aggregate developments in the region include:

• The Muskeg Valley Quarry, Birch Mountain Resources Ltd. This limestone quarry was opened in December 2005, and produces aggregate products used in construction, concrete, and reagent limestone products. The Hammerstone Project includes an expansion of the quarry and a quicklime plant (Birch Mountain Resources Ltd. 2008).
• North Parsons Creek (a sand and gravel operation) and Parsons Creek Resources Project (a proposed limestone quarry), Parsons Creek Resources (Parsons Creek Resources 2006). These projects are located just north of Fort McMurray.