The Application Process

The Aggregate Resources Act application process is proponent-driven. The applicant is responsible for meeting all information requirements and undertaking public and agency notification as well as consultation. This process is designed to be open and transparent.

The Act regulates aggregate extraction through three types of instruments (approvals):

• aggregate permits are required for aggregate extraction on Crown land or where the Crown owns the aggregate, and all extraction from land under natural water bodies.
• a licence is required for aggregate extraction on private land in designated areas [areas that are identified in regulation]. A Class A licence is issued for operations that remove more than 20,000 tonnes of material from the site annually. A Class B licence is issued for operations that remove 20,000 tonnes or less annually.
• a wayside permit is issued for aggregate extraction on private land in designated areas, where the aggregate is to be used by a public authority (MTO, municipality) for temporary road construction or road maintenance projects.

The process for applications under the Act is laid out in the Aggregate Resources of Ontario, Provincial Standards. The Provincial Standards contain a set of standard application criteria for licence, aggregate permit and wayside permit applications.

These application categories were created to ensure that the appropriate information is provided to assess the application and to ensure that the applicant, municipal agencies and affected parties are aware of the up-front requirements. Each application category includes:

• Site Plan Standards,
• Report Standards,
• Prescribed Conditions, and
• Notification and Consultation Standards.

It is important to note that the categories only relate to the application process, as the Aggregate Resources Act only recognizes four types of instruments (approvals): a Class ‘A’ licence; a Class ‘B’ licence; a wayside permit and an aggregate permit. The licence or permit does not specify whether the operation is to be above or below the water table; this is controlled by the approved site plan.

There are 14* different categories of applications outlined in the Provincial Standards, based on whether:

• the application is for a pit or a quarry;
• the extraction is to be above or below the water table; and
• the application is for a Class A licence, Class B licence, aggregate permit or wayside permit.
  

* Categories 1-13 and 15 are application categories; Category 14 is an exemption for the forest industry (no application is required and no permit is issued).

The difference between a pit and a quarry is based on the type of material being taken from a site. Sand and gravel are called unconsolidated materials and come from a pit. Bedrock, such as limestone and granite, is considered to be consolidated material and comes from a quarry. Usually blasting is required to remove aggregate from a quarry, but not required for pit operations.