Quarry rehab projects that are approved and complete should see prompt payout from a provincial fund designed to ensure spent pits and quarries are rehabilitated to standards, MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc says.
Recently, the MHCA assisted in seeing payment flow to contractors for some 15 quarry rehabilitation projects, some of which had been completed for six months. The delay in processing of payments was alarming as many of the operators are small businesses, Lorenc noted.
“We need to see this program working smoothly and effectively because aggregates are the foundation of all infrastructure projects, and community support of quarry operations is critical,” he said.
“Once the pit or quarry is exhausted, communities need to see them returned to a state aligned with the environment or to a purpose nearby residents see as amenities.”
A provincial Quarry Rehab Advisory Council underscored the importance of prompt payment for completed rehab work at a meeting April 15. The council is composed of representatives from municipalities, industry and government departments.
The other priorities discussed included:
- Early program launch
- Hope to launch in June; last year it was August
- Increase extraction levy from $.12 to ~$.24/tonne
- To take effect in 2025
- A six-month notice to be provided
- Carry forward of unexpended program funds
- Ensure that projected revenues match projected program
The next meeting of the council is June 4
