News Pits & Quarries
Quarry plan in Thunder Bay, Ont. concerns local residents

A proposal to redevelop an old quarry in a rural area of Thunder Bay, Ont. has encountered opposition from local residents who say they are concerned about noise and contamination.

CBC News reports that RJ Concrete and Construction, which owns a concrete plant on Melbourne Road near Dog Lake Road, wants to begin quarrying operations on its site.

The blasted rock would be used for the RJ Concrete’s own operations, and possibly sold to other companies.

A small group of area residents who have been notified about the company’s plans say concrete has been poured into the old quarry site for years and, if there’s contamination below, it could affect local wells once disturbed.

Dan Matson, chief operating officer for RJ Concrete and Construction, told CBC News that the company will be going through the usual permitting channels, and has plans to test well quality ahead of operations.

They’ll also berm the site to cut down on noise.

Matson said the company hopes to submit its plan to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, but that further mediation between the plant’s neighbours and the company may be required before that can happen.

Read the full story here.