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This is an online resource developed principally for media for Nelson news, pertinent industry announcements and helpful background for story research.
Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation, and community relations. We welcome your visit and inquiries.
Nelson Aggregate Modifies Quarry Proposal to Conform to New MNR Extraction Limits
Nelson Proposes to Plant and Protect New Forest Corridor on Adjacent Lands
Burlington (May 3, 2010) - The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) has issued an updated extraction footprint for the Burlington Quarry Extension proposed by Nelson Aggregate Company, and Nelson has confirmed it will reduce the extraction area to conform to these limits.
The newly protected lands will set aside habitat for the Jefferson Salamander, certain wetlands, woodland areas with endangered Butternut trees, and related buffer areas. “This is a significant change, and it demonstrates our continued commitment to working with all parties to ensure that our application preserves natural features on the lands,” said Norm Elmhirst, president of Nelson Aggregate.
The company also announced that it has acquired access to a large acreage of cleared land to the east of the proposed extension, and that it plans to plant trees on this land to create a forested corridor to enhance wildlife habitat of the area. It is Nelson’s intent that the newly planted areas will be permanently protected, and Nelson will explore how this can best be done with the local agencies.
With respect to the proposed quarry extension, there remain some outstanding issues that need to be addressed. But the company is confident that it can continue meaningful discussions with the various agencies so that the extension can be in production when the existing quarry runs short of reserves – likely in the next 5 years.
“We employ 48 people at our existing quarry, and regularly obtain services from another 500 workers in the area. Many of these folks are dependent on us for their livelihood, and we’d like to be able to tell them that their jobs will continue,” said Elmhirst.
“We’d also like to be able to assure the City of Burlington and Halton Region – which rely on our aggregate for roads, sewers and watermains, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure – that there will be continued supply.”
The proposed extension would provide some 26 million tonnes of much needed aggregate over its projected 13 to15-year life. It would also support local businesses (about $160 million in supplies and services) and generate $6 million in municipal and education taxes.
Nelson Aggregate Co. provides quarry, sand, gravel and asphalt products used in the construction of roads, municipal water and sewer systems, commercial facilities and residential housing. Nelson’s operations are strategically located in Beamsville, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida, close to the markets in southern Ontario that it serves. A major contributor to the local and regional economies in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized leader in environmental stewardship, sustainable development, land rehabilitation, and best practices in aggregate operations.
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For more information, please visit nelsonaggregate.com or contact:
Norman Elmhirst, President Sara Cauchon
905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320 416-777-0368
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Nelson Aggregate Very Encouraged by Joint Board Decision
Burlington - November 3, 2009 - The Consolidated Hearings Board panel (Joint Board) in its decision released October 29th 2009, has ruled against most of the issues brought forward by the City of Burlington in its motion to the Board. The motion was brought forward by the City in July 2009 and the Board heard submissions from all parties over the course of a 3 day hearing.
“The issues raised in the City motion would have significantly delayed the hearing process. We believe that the Board has clearly set out the issues that will be considered and we can now move forward to the commencement of a hearing” said Norm Elmhirst, president of Nelson Aggregate Co.
Elmhirst stated once again that it is the company’s desire to work with councillors and staff to resolve issues. “I’m very confident that if we can have meaningful discussions with the City and Region, we can resolve a lot of the issues and reduce the legal costs to both taxpayers and Nelson of engaging in a prolonged hearing. So far, neither the City nor the Region has been willing to engage in meaningful discussion.”
Nelson’s argument to the Joint Board was that the City and Niagara Escarpment Commission were trying to delay and confuse, rather than to clarify the pending hearing and that the motions by the City and the NEC would require that Nelson’s application be treated differently than all previous applications for quarry expansion and inconsistently with the process agreed to by the parties over the five years of consultation on the issue.
From a legal perspective, the Joint Board ruled against the City of Burlington that had requested:
- That the 2005 Provincial Policy Statement should apply
- That the Board should consolidate the existing quarry into the application
- That the Consolidated Hearing Regulation should be amended, and
- That the Water Taking and Water Discharge permit applications should form part of the proceedings
The Joint Board did, however, decide that the 2005 Niagara Escarpment Plan should apply to the proposal. In addition, the NEC asked the Board to find that several additional development permits would be required under their Act. The Board declined to do so based on the fact that insufficient information had been provided to support the assertion. The NEC has been given additional time to provide the information.
“I am very encouraged that the Joint Board agreed with the position put forward by Nelson, and rejected the Burlington position in 4 of the 5 issues," Elmhirst said. "We believe that these were tactics to delay the hearing through procedural impediments. Together we can save a lot of taxpayer’s money if the City and Region would just sit down with us and resolve issues, which they have thus far refused to do."
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NELSON AGGREGATE RESPONDS TO JART REPORT
Burlington, Ontario – March 31, 2009 – Nelson Aggregate Co.
A recent decision to permit Nelson Aggregate renewed dialogue with government agencies has allowed Nelson and its technical experts to produce a detailed review of the JART (Joint Agency Review Team) Report on Nelson’s Burlington Quarry.
“As demonstrated at the February 19th public meeting, there were a number of technical concerns with the JART report and we appreciate the cooperation in allowing us the opportunity to address and discuss those concerns with the agencies prior to staff reports being formalized.” said Nelson’s President Norm Elmhirst.
Following months of being left out of the dialogue process by JART agencies, at a March 3rd pre-hearing conference for the quarry application, the Joint Board granted Nelson’s request to have until the end of March to provide its review comments to the agencies and that the agencies then have a reasonable time to review and consider that information in the preparation of staff reports.
“Our technical experts have been very thorough in their review of the document. We believe it is important that the JART information be as current and accurate as possible to form a sound basis for the staff reports,” Mr. Elmhirst said. “The Nelson review highlights a number of critical issues in the JART report that must be amended before Council and agency officials make their decision on the quarry extension proposal.”
Elmhirst said the next logical step is for Nelson and its experts to meet with the government agencies that participated on the JART and review their findings. “We are ready to sit down with agency officials as soon as possible to help ensure that we all have the most accurate and comprehensive technical information possible.”
The review document for the JART report is posted on Nelson’s company web site www.nelsonaggregate.com for public information.
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Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 as a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel, and asphalt products which are used extensively in sewer and watermain construction, road construction, and in commercial and residential construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Beamsville, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor to the local and regional economy in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For more information:
Norman Elmhirst, President
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4454
Email: propertymgr@nelsonaggregate.com
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JART REPORT SHOWS NEED FOR IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS
Burlington, Ontario – February 10, 2009 – Nelson Aggregate Co.
“The recently released JART (Joint Agency Review Team) Report on Nelson’s Burlington Quarry demonstrates the need for improved communications between the City, Region and Nelson. The report underscores the urgency to resume cooperative dialogue in order to bring greater clarity to the issues regarding Nelson’s extension application before Councillors vote in the coming weeks,” said Nelson President Norm Elmhirst on Tuesday.
Nelson Aggregate is pleased that the JART report supports the main conclusions of our technical experts regarding noise, air quality, blasting, cultural heritage, karst, and agriculture. JART is also supportive of some significant changes Nelson has made in its application including a 30 % reduction in the extraction area to provide additional environmental protection and the company’s efforts to establish a Community Liaison Committee.
Nelson has always been committed to the JART process and has undertaken additional studies and provided responses to every question JART has raised. When requesting the hearing last summer, Nelson wrote to both the Region of Halton and City of Burlington confirming that "Nelson remains committed to working with the review agencies and members of the public in order to clarify, scope, and resolve outstanding concerns related to the applications."
Mr. Elmhirst went on to say, “We also renew our previous invitations for the Mayor, Chair, and Councillors to tour our facilities to see for themselves how the quarry operates, and see the specific land under review before they vote on the issue.”
Nelson will provide each municipality and agency with a list of inaccuracies and misinterpretations contained in the JART report, some of which are quite significant and misleading. It is hoped that the staff preparing the individual reports will incorporate the corrections in their own agency reports. According to Mr. Elmhirst “It would be a shame to have gone through a five year process only to have Council and agency decisions based on inaccurate information.”
Nelson’s Burlington quarry has been a part of the Burlington rural community for over 50 years. Almost all of the houses, schools, and roads in Burlington and the surrounding Halton area have been constructed using crushed stone from the quarry. Having the Nelson quarry this close to its market eliminates unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is one of the top environmental concerns in the world today.
“With the quarry running out of material and over 48 jobs at stake, the Consolidated Hearing Board process must proceed, but this does not mean that we can’t continue to work through the issues to better understand where we agree, where we differ and where we can find further agreement with a bit of cooperation now.” said Mr. Elmhirst.
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Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 as a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel, and asphalt products which are used extensively in sewer and watermain construction, road construction, and in commercial and residential construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Beamsville, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor to the local and regional economy in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For more information:
Norman Elmhirst, President
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4454
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Nelson's First Pre-Hearing Meeting Has Been Scheduled
Burlington, Ontario - November 24, 2008 - Nelson Aggregate Co.
In 2003 Nelson Aggregate Co. began pre-consultation process with government agencies and in October 2004 filed application for an aggregate license under the Aggregate Resources Act to extend the bedrock reserves of its Halton quarry operation. Since that time, Nelson has listened to comments from the Joint Agency Review Team (JART) and members of the public and has made a number of revisions to its proposal in an effort to satisfy objections.
By May 2008, after holding an information session and after sending individual responses to all objectors, it became clear that a number of objector concerns could not be resolved. In accordance with planning process, Nelson requested referral of the matter to a Consolidated Hearing before the Environmental Review Tribunal and the Ontario Municipal Board (also called a 'Joint Board Hearing') to continue to seek approval for the extension lands for its Halton operations. The first pre-hearing meeting has been scheduled for December 8th by the Joint Board.
"Clearly, for a proposal of this nature a joint hearing process is in the public interest. ", said Nelson President Norman Elmhirst.
"As we proceed to a hearing, we will continue to find ways to engage our stakeholders towards a more collective outcome to meet the community, environmental, infrastructure and economic challenges here in Halton."
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Nelson Aggregate Company, www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 as a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Beamsville, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor the local and regional economy in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For More Information:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
Email: propertymgr@nelsonaggregate.com
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Nelson Contributes to Urban Creek Restoration Program as Resolution to a Permit Oversight
Burlington, Ontario - November 26, 2007 - Nelson Aggregate Co. is pleased to announce the resolution of a fill placement charge laid by the Halton Region Conservation Authority in the summer of 2006. The charge resulted when a contractor undertook maintenance work on farm drainage ditches located on Nelson’s property south of No. 2 Sideroad in Burlington and placed the excavated soil beside the ditches. The company subsequently learned that it should have applied for a fill placement permit from Conservation Halton before commencing the work, even though the fill placement was temporary and was intended to be removed.
Nelson Aggregate operates Managed Forests on several of its properties surrounding the GTA and has received recognition in the past from the Ontario Government for its excellent forest management practices.
“The company takes its regulatory responsibilities very seriously and we certainly would have requested the necessary fill placement permit had we known it was needed,” said Nelson’s president Norm Elmhirst. “Not applying for the permit was an oversight”.
The farm property is criss-crossed with a network of drainage ditches that has been there for many years. In the tree plantation on the property, a registered Ontario Managed Forest, tree growth was being stunted due to the poor drainage and sections of access roads had become impassable. The company undertook to clean out some of the ditches to restore their function.
Grass and soil removed from the ditches was placed in temporary piles alongside them with the intent to remove the piles subsequently. Under the Conservation Authorities Act and regulation, however, even the temporary placement of fill is considered a violation in regulated areas.
Nelson thanks the staff of Conservation Halton for assisting in the development of a remediation plan for the ditches. With the Authority’s approval, Nelson Aggregate voluntarily performed the remediation work. The ditch areas have now been successfully re-vegetated with plants.
Both parties have agreed that Nelson will make a donation of $10,000 to the Field and Stream Rescue Team (www.streamrescue.com). FSRT will use the funds to sponsor its Urban Creek Restoration Program. The program will see several creek areas throughout Halton being restored through tree planting and cleanup operations.
“It is the long-standing policy of Nelson to assist environmental and community organizations, and we’re pleased to see this money applied to a worthwhile cause so closely aligned with our environmental beliefs” said Elmhirst. Nelson Aggregate Co. is well recognized for its environmental stewardship in Halton Region and beyond.
In view of Nelson Aggregate’s voluntary remediation combined with the donation to the local environmental group, the Court accepted the joint submission of the Conservation Authority and the company that the court should impose a suspended sentence.
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Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 and is a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Lincoln, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor to the local and regional economy in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For more information contact:
Norm Elmhirst, Nelson Aggregate Co., (905) 335-5250
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Nelson Aggregate Gets Government Approval for Species at Risk Stewardship Proposal
BURLINGTON - September 27, 2007 - Nelson Aggregate Co. announced today that it has received approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources for an important species at risk stewardship proposal. The project will promote habitat for the Eastern Ratsnake which is a threatened species in Ontario and nationally.
Submitted in association with Savanta Inc, the project is among 80 recently approved by the Ministry for funding assistance from the Species at Risk Stewardship Fund introduced last March.
Entitled the “Oriskany Sandstone Management Plan and Model Safe Harbour Agreement” the project will be undertaken at the Nelson Oneida Quarry in the Region of Haldimand. The Nelson Oneida Quarry is the largest owner of the Oriskany sandstone outcrop, habitat to the threatened Eastern Ratsnake, the largest snake in Canada. The quarry is also habitat to a number of Carolinian plant species and the imperiled Small-footed Bat, the smallest bat in Ontario.
Norm Elmhirst, president of Nelson Aggregate said, “We believe that the private sector has a responsibility to assist in the recovery of some of Ontario’s most unique plants and animals and we hope that this and other similar projects will further that cause.”
Background Information:
In March 2007, the Ontario government announced an $18-million, four-year Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to encourage and support public stewardship activities. The fund backed up the government’s commitment to a stewardship-first approach in the recently passed Endangered Species Act, 2007.
To be eligible for funding, a proposal must aim to achieve one or more of the following:
- Improve the status of species at risk and their habitats through stewardship and recovery activities
- Encourage involvement in stewardship activities through outreach, education or youth employment
- Increase stewardship-related knowledge and skills of interested landowners or groups
- Support the securement of species at risk habitat by working with willing landowners.
The stewardship fund was open to individuals and groups across the province including landowners, farmers, Aboriginal peoples, education or research institutions, conservation organizations, industries, municipalities, stewardship councils and others who undertook eligible protection and recovery activities. Further information about the Species at Risk Stewardship initiative is available on the Ministry of Natural Resources web site at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/speciesatrisk.
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Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 and is a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Lincoln, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor the local and regional economies in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For interviews or information contact:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
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Nelson Provides Safe Route for BruceTrail Hikers
Burlington, Ontario, May 31, 2007 -- Nelson Aggregate Co. is providing public access to 1.5 kilometers of its Burlington Quarry land running along the BruceTrail on Colling Road to make a safe route for hikers. The newly accessible land will secure a passageway and continuous link for hikers to safely enjoy the escarpment.
The initiative, conducted jointly with the Bruce Trail Association and local volunteers, provides a safer route for hikers looking to get from the escarpment trails along MountNemo to where the trail picks up again at Britannia Road and Blind Line.
To make the trail possible, Nelson Aggregate obtained the required approvals from the Ministry of Natural Resources to allow access to the land and built a new fence along its entire length. The route spans 1.5 kilometers along the Northern perimeter of its quarry lands that border Colling Road.
“We’ve noticed many hikers using this busy stretch of Colling Road, so we approached the Bruce Trail Association with the idea of granting hiker’s access to our property,“ said Norm Elmhirst, president of Nelson Aggregate.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of Burlington resident Eric Best and other active BruceTrail volunteers, the idea has now become a reality,” added Elmhirst.
According to Best, more than 10 volunteers, active in the Bruce Trail Association as trail workers, joined Nelson staff in the initiative. The work involved the building of two bridges, side logging, clearing of the trail where necessary and fencing to restrict access to the quarry.
Tom Palko, property manager of Nelson Aggregate said, “The quarry pathway provides a walkway and conservation corridor for hikers to enjoy one of Canada’s oldest marked hiking trails. It’s the latest example of our commitment to leading and supporting environmental and conservation initiatives that improve the quality of life for Burlington residents and visitors.”
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Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 and is a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Lincoln, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor the local and regional economy in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
A new section of the BruceTrail officially opened today in Burlington as part of a joint initiative with Nelson Aggregate Co. Nelson Aggregate has provided public access to 1.5 kilometers of its Burlington Quarry land to help make a safer route for hikers. From L to R are Eric Best, Bruce Trail Volunteer and Nelson Aggregate officials, Steve Drew, Quarry Manager, Tom Palko, Property Manger and Norm Elmhirst, President.
For More Information contact:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
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Nelson Promotes a Cleaner Neighbourhood collecting 2-1/2 tonnes in City’s Earth Day Drive
April 26, 2007 -- An enthusiastic crew organized by Nelson Aggregate Co. collected 2-1/2 tonnes of trash in the City of Burlington Mayor and Council’s Community Clean-up held Saturday, April 21 to support Earth Day.
The Nelson team consisted of 41 people, ages two to 50, who gathered 2,450 kg of litter from the ditches and shoulders of Number 2 Sideroad, Mt. Nemo Cr. and Colling Road.
“We jumped at the opportunity to be involved and are thrilled with the outcome and sense of community, as staff, local residents and family joined together to make such a positive contribution to the environment,” says Tom Palko, property manager, Nelson Aggregate Co.
Palko was particularly impressed by the number of kids that participated. He said close to half of the volunteers were school - aged.
“Our company’s participation in this successful earth day initiative reflects the strong sense of community and commitment to environmental stewardship integral to Nelson Aggregate operating standards and beliefs,” says Palko. “We couldn’t be happier with the outcome, not only the garbage collected, but also the values the initiative instills.”
Nelson Aggregate Co., www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 and is a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Lincoln, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor the local and regional economies in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
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 An enthusiastic crew organized by Nelson Aggregate Co. collected 2-1/2 tonnes of trash for Earth Day.
 Almost half of the Nelson Aggregate clean up crew were youths. Thomas and Mitchel Palko and Matt Van Kan take a well deserved break.
For interviews or information contact:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
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Nelson Aggregate Co. Scholarship will support Documentaries Dealing with Environment
BURLINGTON, April 24, 2007 -- Nelson Aggregate Co. has provided a scholarship that will allow a budding documentary producer make films about the environment. Recognizing the value of youth contributions to environmental initiatives Nelson is sponsoring a scholarship that was awarded to Shannon Fernandez. Shannon will be entering post secondary education to study media in pursuit of her dream to make documentaries that deal with the environment.
Nelson is a returning sponsor of the Halton Regional Chairman’s Breakfast on the Environment held Friday, April 20 at Rattlesnake Point Golf Club in Milton.
Now in its fourth year, the Chairman’s Breakfast on the Environment is an annual event that brings together the corporate and community sectors for the purposes of raising awareness and sparking dialogue about the environment. The event serves as a forum for people to network, learn and share ideas.
The Roundtable’s main goal is to engage our youth in recognizing and valuing the legacy of our environment and support the pursuit of environmental initiatives. This is accomplished by awards for students and student groups for demonstrating environmental initiatives, as well as by bringing in engaging speakers to discuss the world, the environment and the difference that one person can make.
The speaker at this year’s breakfast was Jeff Macinnis, a member of the Crazy Canucks downhill ski team. Macinnis, one of only two individuals who sailed the North West Passage, spoke to the audience about setting and fulfilling goals.
“Our participation reflects our commitment to Halton’s youth and environmental stewardship,” said Norm Elmhirst, president of Nelson Aggregate Co.
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Nelson Aggregate Co. Awarded for Safety Accomplishments
BURLINGTON, Jan 12, 2007 – Sixteen years of accident free operation highlight three industry awards won by the Nelson Aggregate Co for working without a loss-time incident.
The awards by the OSSGA (Ontario Sand Stone and Gravel Association) recognized three separate Nelson facilities for industry achievement in safety.
The OSSGA recognized Nelson and other facilities as part of its annual safety awards lunch and seminar.
Nelson Aggregate Co. is committed to increasing the safety and operational knowledge base of its employees and members of the Nelson team, and was proudly awarded for its achievements.
Nelson Aggregate Lincoln Quarry was awarded for three-year’s incident free, Nelson Aggregate Uhthoff Quarry for five-year’s incident free, and Waynco Sand & Gravel for operating for a notable sixteen-year’s incident free.
“Congratulations go out to the management and employees of these three deserving facilities, and everyone in the Nelson family for their ongoing commitment to safety,” said Norm Elmhirst, President of Nelson Aggregate Co.
This year’s seminar focused on topics including the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources presenting their thoughts on the industry’s rehabilitation efforts, noise mitigation, different production processes presented to help improve safety, productivity and quality within industry operations, as well as updates on planning and reporting.
Formerly the Aggregate Producers' Association of Ontario, the OSSGA is the non-profit industry association representing 94 producers of sand, gravel, and crushed stone in the province of Ontario along with 150 consultants, suppliers, and distributors of aggregate industry products and services.
For interviews or information contact:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
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Nelson Aggregate receives highest honour for Burlington quarry
Aggregate Producers Associaton of Ontario (APAO) recognizes community involvement, rehabilitation and stewardship
Burlington (Feb 21, 2003) – Nelson Aggregate, which operates a quarry in Burlington, has received a top industry advancement award.
Nelson was awarded the Aggregate Producers Association of Ontario’s Award of Excellence for its operation of its limestone quarry on No. 2 Sideroad. It’s the highest honour an active site can receive.
‘The Burlington Quarry exemplifies the aggregate industry’s strong dedication to community involvement, rehabilitation, environmental stewardship and operation enhancement,” said Carol Hochu, APAO president, said at a ceremony in Niagara Falls.
APAO exists to promote wise management of Ontario’s aggregate resources. The non-profit association represents 94 producers of sand, gravel, and crushed stone in the province and 124 suppliers of aggregate industry products and services.
Nelson employs 100 people most of whom are located at the 550-acre Burlington quarry. The Burlington site has served as a major source of aggregate essential the infrastructure and growth of Burlington, Halton and the larger GTA area.
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Nelson Aggregate donates major swath of Grand River land to Conservation Authority
“This donation puts our beliefs in action,” says Nelson’s Bob Albrough
Burlington (June 23, 2003) A large piece of prime river front land near Brantford is now in public hands thanks to a donation by Nelson Aggregate Company of Burlington.
Nelson donated the 23-hectare property, with 800 meters of frontage on the east bank of the Grand River to the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The riverfront property is a great acquisition, sail Paul Emerson, chief administrative officer of the GRCA.
“We feel at the GRCA it is important to put some of those sensitive lands into the public trust for the long term.”
Bob Albrough, president of Nelson Aggregate, said the company has been considering giving the land to the GRCA for five years. “We’re very pleased to give the Conservation Authority – and the community - this substantial piece of property. Nelson Aggregate is a strong believer in corporate citizenship and this donation puts our beliefs in action.”
Nelson operates an aggregate pit to the east of the donated property. The pit will be closed in a year and sold for industrial development.
Emerson, of the GRCA, said the property could eventually become the site of a new river access point. The property is north of Highway 403 and bounded on the east side by the SC Johnson Trail and on the north by Powerline Road.
The property is also within the “Exceptional Waters” reach of the Grand River, which stretches from Paris to Brantford. It was chosen for the provincial program because of its outstanding combination of natural features including geology, topography, aesthetics, and its high quality as a natural habitat. As part of the program, considerable study has been done on topics such as fish habitat, recreational use of the river and trails, access and other issues related to the natural heritage and public use.
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Backgrounder – Keeping Aggregate Sources Close to Market – The Benefits
Nelson Aggregate Co. is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations. This backgrounder reviews key facts on the environmental and economic benefits of having aggregate sources close to market.
Aggregate Industry
Aggregate is the collective term used to describe crushed stone, sand, and gravel materials. Aggregate is used to build roads you drive on, houses you live in, schools your children learn in, offices and factories you work in, and hospitals you get treated in. Aggregate is used to make glass, cement, steel, and even makeup and toothpaste.
A key policy of the provincial government is to ensure aggregate resources are available close to the market they serve. Locating aggregate sources close to market benefits both the environment and the economy of Ontario by reducing haulage distances. This results in fewer heavy trucks on the road, reducing road congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing transport costs.
Environmental Benefits of Close to Market
It is well known that the transportation sector is a large contributor to greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. The best way to reduce those emissions is to eliminate the travel distance for the heavy trucks that transport the aggregate to construction projects in the local market area.
Aggregate operations that are located close to the market provide the most efficient, cost-effective way to receive and reprocess waste construction materials. Having operations close to market facilitates the recycling of these materials and helps conserve more of our provincial mineral aggregate reserves.
Most recyclable construction aggregate materials need to be blended with virgin aggregate materials in order to be made acceptable for reuse in new construction projects. In that respect, locating the recycling operation in an existing aggregate operation provides a readily available source of virgin aggregate without having to transport it to the recycling depot. This makes it economically feasible to reuse a wider range of recyclable materials.
If a recycling facility is not located close to the jobsite where the recyclable materials are located, those materials often end up being used as low grade fill on the site or else make their way to landfill sites.
Nelson Aggregate promotes the wise management of aggregate resources. For more than two decades, Nelson Aggregate has made a concerted effort to actively recycle waste construction materials at its Burlington quarry. These recycling efforts have diverted thousands of metric tones of materials from taking up valuable space in municipal landfills. Incoming materials are also closely monitored to ensure they consist of only approved recyclable materials.
Economic Benefits of Close to Market
There are significant economic benefits in having aggregate resources close to market, as the cost of transportation is approximately 60% of the total cost of aggregate. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) states that the value of an aggregate reserve is based on its quantity and quality, but also how close the reserve is to its final destination. Furthermore, accessible aggregate resources provide Ontarians with affordable infrastructure and housing costs.
Importing aggregate from further away using rail, highway or water has been examined by the Province and it was concluded that close to market aggregate supply is in the public interest. Rail and water shipping of aggregate is not economically viable due to the extra costs and delays incurred in delivering the aggregate from the quarry to final job site. As OMNR further notes, public authorities use about 50% of all aggregate that is provided in Ontario so the additional cost of shipping aggregate would significantly affect taxpayers.
Nelson Aggregate Contributes to Local Economy
Since the existing Nelson quarry started in 1953, it has produced more than 120 million tones of aggregate to build Burlington, Halton and the western GTA areas. The proposed extension would provide another 36 million tones of much needed crushed stone supply to a growing GTA.
It is estimated that to get the same quantity of aggregate brought to Halton from the next closest area of significant aggregate reserves, it would cost an additional $162 million at today’s transport cost. Other transportation impacts include:
- 95,000 tonnes of extra greenhouse gases
- 34.5 million litres of extra fuel consumption
- 72 million extra heavy truck kilometers
In addition to employing 48 full time people at the Nelson quarry in Burlington, Nelson Aggregate purchases significant amounts of parts, equipment and services from local suppliers and contributes to the local tax base. Over the expected 18 year life of the proposed extension to the quarry Nelson expects to pay:
- $198 million for supplies and services
- $8.1 million for municipal taxes
- $4.1 million for aggregate license fees (65% goes to the City and Region)
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Nelson Aggregate Company, www.nelsonaggregate.com, was formed in 1983 as a partnership between Lafarge Canada Inc. and Steed and Evans Holdings Inc. Nelson offers quarry, sand and gravel and asphalt products, which are used extensively in Sewer and Watermain Construction, Road Construction, and in Commercial and Residential Construction. Nelson’s locations are strategically situated in Beamsville, Burlington, Cambridge, Orillia and Oneida to serve the southern Ontario market. A major contributor the local and regional economies in which it operates, Nelson Aggregate is a recognized industry leader for best practices in aggregate operations, environmental management, rehabilitation and community relations.
For More Information:
Norm Elmhirst, President, ext. 105
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
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Media Site is constantly being updated and subject to change please refer back to this page periodically.
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Nelson Aggregate is committed to an open and responsive approach to media relations and welcomes your emails and calls.
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For background information or to arrange interviews contact our Burlington Head office:
2433 No. 2 Sideroad.
Burlington, ON
L7R 3X4
T: 905-335-5250 or 1-800-263-6320
F: 905-332-4484
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