Responsible Aggregate Standard approved in Ontario

Cornerstone Standards Council (CSC) has released the world’s first voluntary standard for the responsible siting, operation and rehabilitation of aggregate pits and quarries in Ontario, Canada.

A revised Responsible Aggregate Standard, which has now been approved by the CSC’s Board of Directors, follows three years of collaboration and consultation with multiple stakeholders, as well as a 75-day public consultation period and on the ground field tests. The Standard will now undergo a two-year pilot period. During this time, CSC will test the Standard, run educational forums and solicit input from all stakeholders.

“Time and again my annual reports have emphasised the importance of improving Ontario’s process to approve and regulate aggregate operations. Cornerstone Standards Council (CSC) has the power to change the conversation around aggregate extraction and the approval of its Responsible Aggregate Standard is a breakthrough between traditional adversaries,” said Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario.

Construction materials producers have also expressed their support for the standard:

Bruno Roux, President and CEO, Eastern Canada, Lafarge Canada Inc., stated: “We are proud to be part of this industry-leading initiative to develop the world’s first responsible aggregate standard. Lafarge is committed to being amongst the first to pilot this standard at sites across Ontario.”

“The successful approval of CSC’s Responsible Aggregate Standard and the approach it outlines is a turning point for the building materials industry. Aggregate is an important resource that is vital for building the country’s infrastructure and the adoption of this standard will help the aggregate industry to meet the demand for aggregates while meeting community needs and demonstrating measurable efforts to address the social and environmental impacts of pits and quarries,” stated John Pontarollo, Senior Vice President for Ontario and Western Canada, Holcim Canada.

Further information about the Responsible Aggregate Standard can be found here.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/16012015/csc-releases-responsible-aggregate-standard-in-ontario-153/