What is the purpose of Pits and Quarries Online?
Pits and Quarries Online was created to provide the public with self-service access to site information for aggregate operations.
What are the features of Pits and Quarries Online?
- Pits and Quarries Online will help people:
- find the location of aggregate operations (pits and quarries),
- view information about individual sites (e.g… client name, operation type, maximum annual tonnage),
- conduct advanced searches (e.g... for sites by authority type, operation type or in a particular radius or geographic township), and
- export information into a tables and/or reports.
What type of information is available on Pits and Quarries Online?
Pits and Quarries Online is an interactive mapping application, using Google Maps, that provides a user friendly medium to search for aggregate operation information, including:
- client name,
- location information,
- approval type (licence or aggregate permit),
- operation type (pit or quarry),
- maximum annual tonnage, and
- area (in hectares) of licence or permit.
Where can I obtain additional information on aggregate resources in Ontario?
The Ministry of Natural Resources website has information about aggregate resources and aggregate operations. Specific links that may be of interest to the public include:
- Fact Sheets on Aggregate Resources,
- List of current licences, aggregate permits and wayside permits in Ontario,
- State of the Aggregate Resource in Ontario Study (SAROS), and
- Annual aggregate production statistics for licences and aggregate permits can be found on The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation’s website.
The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines provides geoscience data, collected by the Mines and Minerals division, which can be viewed using user-friendly geographic information programs such as Google Earth and can be found at:
http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/en/mines-and-minerals/applications/ogsearth
How can I get more information about a specific pit or quarry?
If you are interested in details about the operation of a specific site, approaching the pit or quarry operator directly is recommended. For information about the rules for an individual site, you may also wish to contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) district office. The location of MNR district offices can be found on MNR’s website at:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_179002.html
Why is a pit or quarry not showing on the application?
Pits and Quarries Online displays all of the pits and quarries that have a licence, aggregate permit or wayside permit under the Aggregate Resources Act. A pit or quarry may not be shown on the map if:
- The pit or quarry is on private land in a part of Ontario that is not regulated under the Aggregate Resources Act.
- The pit or quarry has been issued an aggregate permit or wayside permit for a Ministry of Transportation highway project. These permits are managed by the Ministry of Transportation and are not currently available through Pits and Quarries Online.
- The licence, aggregate permit or wayside permit has been issued very recently. The mapping is updated as soon as possible after a new approval is issued, but there may be a short delay.
Where can I get help on how to use Pits and Quarries Online?
The Pits and Quarries Online user manual provides additional information on:
- how to use the application,
- how to conduct map and advanced searches, and
- how to export your search results.
What can I do if I think a pit or quarry is not following the rules?
The ministry is committed to ensuring compliance with conditions of approvals and site plans under the Aggregate Resources Act. Should you have concerns about compliance on a specific site, please ensure you contact your local MNR office or the TIPS line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667).
