Fisher Wavy has received Greater Sudbury city council’s go-ahead to proceed with a quarry expansion project southwest of the Big Nickel.
With this hurdle cleared, the local concrete and aggregate supplier still needs approvals from the province, including an aggregate resources study which Fisher Wavy environmental manger Vanessa Felix described as “extensive, and requires various technical studies, including environmental, groundwater, surface water, air and noise and archeological studies.”
Upcoming requirements include a public consultation period.
Felix spoke on behalf of the company during Monday’s planning committee meeting of city council, at which the three city council members present were unanimous in recommending the expansion for approval. City council as a whole unanimously ratified the committee’s decision the following evening.
The existing quarry is located southwest of the Big Nickel, south of Municipal Road 55 and west of the start of Kelly Lake Road.
The quarry has been in operation for more than 55 years and is nearing the end of its life after extracting more than five million tonnes of “high-quality aggregate” from the earth, Felix told the planning committee.
The quarry operates from May to November and “plays a significant role in meeting the material demands of local mine sites and construction projects in Sudbury and across the north,” she said.
As with the current quarry, the expanded space to its south and west would be “rehabilitated into productive habitat” once it has been depleted of aggregates, Felix said.
She also made an environmental pitch for the quarry, noting that a supply of locally sourced aggregates reduces transportation costs and emissions, as well as creating local jobs.
“Given recent concerns related to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions, putting aggregate operations close to market is vital,” she said.
The proposed extraction area is approximately 100 hectares in size and currently vacant.
Although a larger portion of land is owned, extraction will not be permitted within 120 metres of Kelly Lake and the Junction Creek Wetland Delta, which is located along the northern side of Kelly Lake. Extraction is not proposed below the water table, so wetlands are to be protected.
During Monday’s public hearing, only one area resident took to the microphone.
Ryann Dutchburn identified himself as a longtime area resident, and said that although residents complained about vibrations in the 1990s, things have improved in recent years.
“I don’t foresee any issues going forward,” he said.
In advance of the public hearing, city staff reported receiving no written comments or letters, and fielding four phone calls from residents raising concerns regarding noise and blasting impacts.
The nearest residential properties are approximately 850 metres to the east of the extraction area in the vicinity of Southview Drive and Kelly Lake Road, and the quarry expansion is anticipated to extend it farther away from residences. The approved annual tonnage will not change from its current 500,000, with the expansion intended to extend its life and not increase capacity.
Tuesday’s unanimous city council support was without votes from Ward 6 Coun. René Lapierre and Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, who were both absent.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
