Aggregate resources
Learn about aggregates (such as, sand, gravel, clay, bedrock) in Ontario and how you can apply to operate a pit/quarry or comment on proposed projects.
Changes to the way aggregates are managed in Ontario
A new policy about Applications to amend licences, permits, and site plans under the Aggregate Resources Act is in effect. This policy:
- clarifies our requirements and approach to public notification and consultation
- provides direction on application requirements
- guides our decision making for amendment applications
- replaces 14 aggregate policies and procedures
About aggregates
It takes approximately:
- 1,760
- 3,760
- 4,560
Aggregates are usually sand, gravel, clay, earth and bedrock. They are used to make roads, subway tunnels, homes and other structures.
- Loose material, such as sand and gravel, is removed from a pit.
- Solid bedrock, such as limestone and granite, is removed from a quarry.
Read our aggregate resource studies to learn more about Ontario’s aggregate consumption, demand, future availability and more.
Find a pit and quarry
Using our online tool, you can locate pits and quarries by:
- licence or permit holder
- size
- operation type
- maximum annual tonnage limit
You can also export information into a table or report.
Find pits and quarries – Pits and Quarries Online
How the province regulates pits and quarries
We:
- oversee the rules governing aggregate management
- issue licences, permits and changes to existing approvals
- inspect aggregate operations and responds to complaints
- enforce compliance
- ensure rehabilitation is carried out on sites
Most of Ontario’s pits and quarries are regulated under the Aggregate Resources Act.
Map of designated private land areas that are subject to the Aggregate Resources Act
Some areas of private land are not covered by the Act. In these areas, the local municipality may regulate pit and quarry operations.
Some areas of private land in Southern Ontario are adjacent to Crown land (also known as public land). The map does not provide this level of detail.
The following documents contain more information on how aggregates are managed in Ontario:
- Aggregate Resources Act
- Aggregate Resources Act regulation
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Site Plan Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Technical Reports and Information Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Amendment Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Circulation Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate resources policies and procedures manual
What you need to operate a pit or quarry
On private land
You will need a:
- Class A licence if more than 20,000 tonnes of aggregate is removed annually
- Class B licence if 20,000 tonnes or less of aggregate is removed annually
On Crown land
You will need an aggregate permit to:
- operate a pit or quarry on Crown land (also known as public land)
- extract Crown-owned aggregate or topsoil
To extract aggregate materials from the bed of a lake or river, contact us at ARAapprovals@ontario.ca for more information about:
- custom plans
- the application process
Additional approvals
You may also need approval under other pieces of legislation. Some examples are:
How to apply for a licence or permit
The Aggregate Resources Act regulation requires that site plans and technical reports which accompany your application be prepared and submitted according to the standards.
Applicants are required to notify and consult as described in sections 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.11 of Ontario Regulation 244/97.
Application requirements for licences, aggregate permits and wayside permits are in:
- sections 0.2, 6, 0.11 and 0.12 of Ontario Regulation 244/97.
Information about what to include on a site plan, what technical reports and information are required and where to circulate the application package are in:
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Site Plan Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Technical Reports and Information Standards (PDF)
- Aggregate Resources of Ontario Circulation Standards (PDF)
Where to send your application
Email your complete application to ARAapprovals@ontario.ca.
If you cannot submit your application by email, mail it to:
Aggregates Section
Ministry of Natural Resources
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 3C7
For help with the application process, email us at ARAapprovals@ontario.ca.
Applications in progress before April 1, 2021
Applications submitted after March 31, 2021 must follow all the new requirements. This includes resubmitting an application that we previously deemed incomplete by the ministry.
The Aggregate Resources Act requires that the site plans and technical reports which accompany applications be prepared and submitted according to the regulations. Applicants are also required to notify and consult in accordance with the regulations.
If you submitted an application before April 1, 2021 that met the site plan and report standards of Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards, Version 1.0 you are not required to change these documents to meet the new requirements.
If you started the notification and consultation in section 4.0 of the Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards, Version 1.0 by completing all the notification requirements in section 4.1 before April 1, 2021, you will need to complete the notification and consultation under Version 1.0 of the standards. The new notification and consultation requirements will not apply to these applications.
If you begin notification after March 31, 2021, you will be required to follow the notification and consultation requirements in Ontario Regulation 244/97.
When a licence is not required
You may not need a licence under the Aggregate Resources Act to extract and use aggregates from your own private land if you:
- you are an individual or farm business
- you follow certain rules set out in section 7.8 of Ontario Regulation 244/97
- you register with us
Find out if you can operate an aggregate pit without a licence and how to register your pit.
To register with us:
You can submit your completed Registration of Activities under the Aggregate Resources Act Form by choosing one of the following:
- online, using the Natural Resources Information Portal
- by mail to the ministry work centre where the site is located, if web access is unavailable
How to comment on a proposed aggregate project
Applicants are required to notify adjacent landowners, municipalities and other agencies and ministries of their proposed aggregate development project. Some types of applications require signage on the proposed site and notices in the local newspaper.
The notices identify the applicant’s contact information and how you can obtain more information or comment on the proposal. Once you submit a comment, the applicant is obligated to work toward addressing your concern.
On private land, applications for new pits and quarries and significant changes to site plans are also posted on Ontario’s Environmental Registry.
Consultation and decision process for an application for an aggregate permit or licence
This is a summary of the consultation and decision process only. For the legal requirements, refer to Ontario Regulation 244/97 and the Aggregate Resources Act.
Pre-submission
- You complete technical reports, summary statement and draft a site plan.
Step 1: submission to the ministry
- You submit the application package to us.
- We determine if application is complete within 25 days of receiving the application.
- If the application is incomplete, we return the application to you to make necessary changes.
- If the application is complete, we issue you a deemed complete notice and you move on to notification and consultation.
Step 2: notification and consultation
- Public notice: you complete the following concurrently:
- a written Public Notice of Application is distributed to landowners within 120 metres of the proposed site (obtain contact info from MPAC)
- signage is posted on the property (licences only)
- Public Notice of Application is posted in a newspaper, or on-line news source, where newspaper is unavailable
- Agency circulation: the complete application package is circulated by the applicant in accordance with Aggregate Resources of Ontario Circulation Standards(PDF).
- Consultation period: the consultation period begins when the public notice and agency circulation are complete, and the period lasts for 60 days.
- You must host an information session at least 10 days after the notice is posted in the newspaper, but at least 10 days before the end of the consultation period.
- You make the application, site plan and all technical reports available for the public to review during the consultation period.
- Any person or agency who wishes to comment on the application must submit their comment(s) in writing to the applicant and ministry during the 60-day consultation period.
Step 3: addressing comments
- You must attempt to address all comments.
No comments, all comments addressed and withdrawn, or an aggregate permit application with or without objections
- If there are no comments or if all comments are addressed and withdrawn, or the application is an aggregate permit with or without objections, and you have amended the application (as necessary) to reflect any changes resulting from the consultation, you submit to us:
- proof of newspaper or on-line news source posting
- list of landowners notified, and agencies circulated
- a summary of comments received
- written confirmation that any comments have been addressed/withdrawn
- a summary of how comments have been addressed;
- outstanding comments (permits only)
- amended site plan, application, and reports, as applicable
Outstanding comments (licences only)
- If there are outstanding comments from the consultation period that have not been withdrawn, you complete Part 1 of the Objection Form for each commenter that has not withdrawn their comments and the applicant sends the form to those commenters and ministry either by:
- registered mail
- courier
- personal delivery,
- e-mail (if the recipient consents)
- If the recipient of the Objection Form wishes to formally object, they complete part 2 of the objection form and send the form back to the applicant and ministry within 20 days of receiving the form either by:
- registered mail
- courier
- personal delivery
- e-mail (if the recipient consents)
- If the completed form is not sent back to the applicant and ministry within 20 days, a formal objection is not considered
- If an objection is received (licence), you submit:
- summary of objections
- proof of newspaper or on-line news source posting
- list of landowners notified, and agencies circulated
- a summary of comments received
- written confirmation of any comments that have been addressed/withdrawn
- a summary how comments have been addressed
- amended site plan, application, reports as applicable
Note: the application timeline for an aggregate permit is 6 months and the application timeline for an aggregate licence is 2 years.
Step 4: decision process
- We review the application and information.
No objections or ministry determines that objections were adequately addressed
- We consider objections for aggregate permits.
- If there are no objections or objections have been addressed, we make a recommendation to the minister within 40-days of receipt of the application and information.
- The minister may either:
- Issue approval subject to prescribed conditions and any additional conditions resulting from consultation.
- Refuse to issue approval. If the minister refuses to issue approval, the applicant may request a hearing at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), if applying for an aggregate licence, or if applying for an aggregate permit where the aggregate is not property of the Crown, the Mining and Lands Tribunal.
If there are objections (licences)
- If there are objections, we review the application and objections within 40 days and determines if the objections are adequately addressed, or if the application is to be referred to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for a decision.
Ontario Land Tribunal hearing
If we refer the application to the OLT. The OLT may either:
- direct the minister to issue a licence which may include any additional conditions resulting from the hearing
- direct the minister to refuse to issue the licence
Process map: Consultation and decision process for an application for an aggregate permit or licence
Amending a site plan, licence or permit
Amendments are changes to existing authorizations under the Aggregate Resources Act, and can include changes to:
- site plans
- conditions of a licence, aggregate permit or wayside permit
- any other information normally included on licences, aggregate permits or wayside permits (such as the name of the operator and address)
Amendments vary in type and complexity, ranging from administrative changes to significant changes to operations or rehabilitation.
When proposed amendments would result in significant changes to operations or rehabilitation at an aggregate site, notification and consultation will often be required.
A new policy about Applications to amend licences, permits, and site plans (PDF) is in effect. This policy:
- provides information and direction on applying for amendments
- guides our decisions regarding amendment applications, including what constitutes a significant amendment
- provides direction on notification and consultation requirements for significant amendments
- replaces 14 policies in the Aggregate resources policies and procedures manual
If your amendment requires notification and consultation, your notices must now be served by either:
- registered mail
- courier
- personal service
To apply for an amendment, complete an Amendment Form and email it to ARAApprovals@ontario.ca.
If you cannot submit the Amendment Form by email, mail it to:
Aggregates Section
Ministry of Natural Resources
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 3C7
We will review the proposed description and reasons you provided in your Amendment Form. We will determine if additional information or reports are required to assess the application.
Notification and consultation will often be required for amendments that would result in significant changes to the operation or rehabilitation of a site.
We will consider the degree of impact, or potential to impact things such as ground or surface water resources, agricultural resources, cultural heritage resources and natural heritage features or nearby communities. Amendments that substantially increase, or have the potential to substantially increase, impacts to resources, features or nearby communities, will likely be considered significant changes.
If we determine that the amendment you are applying for is significant, we will advise the applicant of any parties that must be notified of the application.
If the proposed amendments are related to already approved activities and will not substantially change the impacts already occurring, or the risk of potential impacts that could occur, they are unlikely to be a significant change.
Additional information is available in the Applications to amend licences, permits, and site plans (PDF).
Amendments to lower extraction from above to below the water table
These amendments are for approval to extract below the water table in any part of a site not currently approved to do so, even if below water extraction is already approved for another part of the site.
Application requirements can be found in Ontario Regulation 244/97. They include that you provide:
- an updated site plan
- updated technical reports
- any other information specified in the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Amendment Standards (PDF)
Within 25 days of receiving your application, we will let you know whether your application is complete. Once your application is deemed complete, you can begin consulting on your application by following the requirements in:
- section 0.9 of Ontario Regulation 244/97
- the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Circulation Standards (PDF)
Expand a licence boundary into an adjacent road allowance
These amendments are for approval to expand a licence boundary to include an adjacent road allowance.
Application requirements can be found in Ontario Regulation 244/97.
They include that you provide:
- an updated site plan
- technical reports
- any other information specified in the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Amendment Standards (PDF)
Within 25 days of receiving your application, we will let you know whether your application is complete. Once your application is deemed complete by the ministry you can begin consulting on your application by following the requirements in:
- section 0.10 of Ontario Regulation 244/97
- the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Circulation Standards (PDF)
Amendment applications in progress on April 1, 2021, to lower extraction from above to below the water table or to expand a licence boundary into a road allowance
The following applies only to amendment applications in progress on April 1, 2021, to either:
- lower extraction below the water table
- expand a licence into an adjacent road allowance
Applications that were complete
If prior to April 1, 2021, your application included all the required information and reports and was acceptable to us, you will not be required to:
- change these documents to meet the new technical report and information requirements
- resubmit your application using the new Amendment Form
Applications that also completed the notification requirements
If, prior to April 1, 2021, you had also completed the notification requirements for your application:
- the new notification and consultation requirements that came into effect April 1, 2021, do not apply to your application
Completed notification requirements means that:
- prior to April 1, 2021, you had sent notices to anyone the we identified
- you completed any other requirements to notify others of your application (such as putting up a sign at the site)
- public meetings, if required, did not have to occur prior to April 1, 2021
If you had not completed notification requirements prior to April 1, 2021 the new notification and consultation requirements will apply to your application.
All other amendment applications in progress on April 1, 2021
The following applies to all other types of amendments in progress as of April 1, 2021:
- Complete applications received prior to April 1, 2021 will not need to be resubmitted using the Amendment Form.
- You will not be required re-notify any persons or agencies notified prior to April 1. Any persons or agencies notified after April 1 must be served according to the new requirements by regular mail, courier or personal service.
Amendment without approval and self-filing a site plan amendment
Some small and routine site plan amendments may not need to be reviewed or approved by us. This will save time for licence or permit holders because they can implement low-risk, administrative changes without having to wait for our approval.
Licence or permit holders can submit amendments according to the conditions and criteria described in section 7.2 of Ontario Regulation 244/97. This is called self-filing which can be done for any of the following site plan amendments:
- update the name and contact information of a licensee or permittee following a transfer of the licence or permit
- change the type of fencing on the site
- add any of the following to an area of the site other than an area within or protected by a setback or buffer:
- a temporary building or structure necessary for the operation of the site that will be removed prior to surrendering the licence
- a scrap storage area (maximum 300 m2, provided there isn’t one already on the site)
- a stockpile of aggregate, topsoil, overburden or recycled material (please note that this does not authorize the importation of topsoil or recycled material)
- an internal haul road located entirely within the licence or permit boundary and outside of setback areas, provided it does not create a new exit or entrance to the site
- relocate or removing any of the following items that appear on a site plan, provided they are not being moved to or from an area of the site that is within or protected by a setback or buffer:
- a temporary building or structure that is incidental to the operation of a pit or quarry (licences only)
- a scrap storage area
- a stockpile of aggregate, topsoil, overburden or recycled material, unless the stockpile is required to remain for the purpose of screening neighbouring properties from the operation of the site (please note that this does not authorize the importation of topsoil or recycled material)
- an internal haul road, provided the relocation does not create a new exit or entrance to the site
- add a provision to allow aggregates from outside the site to be imported onto the site, provided:
- all imported aggregate are used solely for blending with onsite material for resale
- the quantity of imported aggregate removed from the site each year is tracked, reported and counted toward the total amount of aggregate that the licensee or permittee is authorized to remove each year under the authority of their licence or permit
- remove a provision relating to the importation or use of material imported for rehabilitation purposes, provided the site plan was approved prior to July 1, 2022, and the amendment does any of the following:
- specifies the quality of excess soil (as defined in Ontario Regulation 406/19: On-site and Excess Soil Management) that can be deposited at the site for rehabilitation purposes
- requires sampling of excess soil after being received at the site
- requires annual reporting to the ministry regarding excess soil imported for rehabilitation purposes
- requires notification to us when excess soil is received at the site
New changes to site plans that can be self-filed
On August 18, 2023, the list of eligible changes to site plans that may be self-filed was expanded to include the following.
Importing concrete, asphalt, brick, glass or ceramics for recycling
The importation of concrete, asphalt, brick, glass or ceramics for recycling can now be self-filed, provided:
- the site is operating on private land under the authorization of an aggregate licence
- zoning by-laws for the site allow the activity to occur, or written confirmation of zoning approval has been provided by the local municipality and submitted to the ministry at the time of self-filing
- the approved site plan already includes a provision to allow the processing of aggregates (including crushing, screening or blending) to occur at the site
- the placement of imported recyclable materials is limited to processing area(s) identified on an approved site plan, or, where no processing area has been identified, the material is not placed in a setback or buffer area, or within an area protected by a setback or buffer and the location of the materials is added to the site plan
- provisions are added to the site plan, requiring that:
- imported asphalt shall not be placed within 30 metres of any body of water or within 2 metres of the ground water table
- the imported recyclable material is not mixed with scrap
- there be no further importation of recyclable material once excavation on the site has completed
- the maximum amount of recyclable material on the site at any given time does not exceed 20,000 tonnes or 10% of the approved annual production limit for the site (whichever is less)
Entrances and exits
The addition or relocation of an entrance to or exit from the site can now be self-filed, provided:
- the work does not occur within any setback or buffer area identified on the approved site plan, other than along the boundary of the site
- written permission or approval is obtained from the owner of the road (i.e. private owner, local municipality, local roads board, Ministry of Transportation) in advance of the work and submitted to the ministry at the time of self-filing
Portable processing equipment
The addition or relocation of portable processing equipment can now be self-filed, provided:
- zoning by-laws for the site allow the use of the equipment as an accessory use, or written confirmation of zoning approval has been provided by the local municipality and submitted to the ministry at the time of self-filing
- there is no sensitive receptor located within 150 metres of the boundary of the site
- a provision is added to the site plan requiring that portable processing equipment not be located within 30 metres of the boundary of the site, or within 90 metres of any part of the boundary of the site that abuts land used for residential purposes
- the placement of the portable processing equipment is limited to processing area(s) identified on an approved site plan, or, where no processing area has been identified, the equipment is not placed in a setback or buffer area, or within an area protected by a setback or buffer and the location of the equipment is added to the site plan
- a copy of the Environmental Compliance Approval (where required under the Environmental Protection Act) is obtained prior to adding or relocating the equipment and submitted to the ministry at the time of self-filing
Portable concrete or asphalt plants
The addition or relocation of portable concrete or asphalt plants can now be self-filed, provided:
- the site is supplying aggregate for a public authority project (such as public road construction)
- provisions are added to the site plan requiring that:
- the portable concrete or asphalt plants are removed from the site when the public authority project is complete
- portable concrete or asphalt plants located within 30 metres of the boundary of the site, or within 90 metres of any part of the boundary of the site that abuts land used for residential purposes
- the placement of the portable concrete or asphalt plants is limited to processing area(s) identified on an approved site plan, or, where no processing area has been identified, the equipment is not placed in a setback or buffer area, or within an area protected by a setback or buffer and the location of the equipment is added to the site plan
- the portable concrete or asphalt plants are not placed within a vulnerable area for the protection of drinking water sources where the handling and storage of fuel would be a significant drinking water threat under the Clean Water Act, 2006
- In vulnerable areas, the addition or relocation of portable concrete or asphalt plants should be submitted for our review under the amendment process. Refer to the Source Protection Information Atlas to determine if your amendment would be in a vulnerable area.
- a copy of the Environmental Compliance Approval (where required under the Environmental Protection Act) is obtained prior to adding or relocating the equipment and submitted to us at the time of self-filing
Above-ground fuel storage tanks
The addition or relocation of above-ground fuel storage tanks can now be self-filed, provided:
- a provision is added to the site plan requiring that fuel storage tanks be installed and maintained in accordance with the Liquid Fuels Handling Code under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000
- the total volume of fuel stored at the site does not exceed 5,000 litres
- the specific location of fuel storage tanks is identified on the site plan
- fuel storage tanks are not placed within a vulnerable area for the protection of drinking water sources where the handling and storage of fuel would be a significant drinking water threat under the Clean Water Act, 2006
- In vulnerable areas, the addition or relocation of above-ground fuel storage tanks should be submitted to the ministry for review under the amendment process. Refer to the Source Protection Information Atlas to determine if your amendment would be in a vulnerable area.
- fuel storage tanks are not located within 30 metres of any body of water or within 2 metres of the groundwater table
- copies of any relevant approvals under any other Acts or regulations are obtained prior to the installation or relocation of fuel storage tanks and submitted to us at the time of self-filing
Removal of equipment
- The removal of portable processing equipment, portable concrete or asphalt plants, or above-ground fuel storage tanks can now be self-filed.
Other conditions you must follow for self-filed amendments
As a licensee or permittee, it is your responsibility to ensure that all self-filed amendments are submitted in accordance with:
- the conditions and criteria set out in Ontario Regulation 244/97, under the Aggregate Resources Act
- the conditions of your licence or permit and approved site plan
How to self-file a site plan amendment
If you want to self-file a site plan amendment, you need to submit your completed Amendment Without Approval Form by choosing one of the following:
- online, through the Natural Resources Information Portal
- by mail to the ministry work centre where the site is located, if web access is unavailable
Operating requirements that apply to all licences and permits
Unless your site plan says otherwise, you are required to follow a set of minimum operating rules for your pit or quarry.
You can find the operating requirements for pits and quarries in Section 0.13 under the heading ‘Control and Operation of Pit or Quarry’ of Ontario Regulation 244/97.
As of January 1, 2022, new operating requirements in the regulation will came into force related to:
- scrap storage
- implementing measures to prevent fly rock from leaving the site during blasting if a sensitive receptor is located within 500 metres of the boundary of the site
- recycling storage, and linkages to rehabilitation
- prohibiting unauthorized entry to Crown land sites, in accordance with the Trespass to Property Act
Annual compliance reporting
There is a new Compliance Assessment Report form you must use for your annual compliance reporting.
If you have an aggregate licence or permit, you need to complete an annual compliance assessment report. This report is necessary to assess your compliance with the rules.
This assessment and report can be completed anytime between April 1 to September 15.
You must submit the assessment and report to us on or before September 30.
If your pit or quarry operates within a municipality, you must also submit a copy of the report to the local municipality where the site is located.
You can submit your completed Compliance Assessment Report either:
- online, through the Natural Resources Information Portal
- by mail, by printing and mailing your completed Compliance Assessment Report to the ministry work centre where your aggregate site is located.
For more information and guidance on completing your assessment, you can read How to Complete a Compliance Assessment Report (PDF).
How to rehabilitate pits and quarries
The Aggregate Resources Act requires you to rehabilitate your pit or quarry during its operational lifetime.
You need to rehabilitate the parts of your site which you’ve completed work on, while you continue extracting aggregates in other areas. These areas can be rehabilitated into wetlands and habitat for wildlife, farmland, parks, fruit orchards, vineyards, subdivisions, golf courses and recreational fishing areas.
Most changes to site plans, which includes plans for rehabilitation, requires approval from the ministry.
Excess soils
Changes were made to Ontario Regulation 244/97 and associated policies under the Aggregate Resources Act to manage the beneficial reuse of excess soil to facilitate rehabilitation at pits and quarries.
Before you can import excess soil for use in rehabilitation, you must first ensure that this activity has been authorized on the site plan, licence or permit for your pit or quarry. If you have not been authorized to import excess soil, you can seek an authorization through an amendment.
Effective July 1, 2022, Ontario Regulation 244/97 reflects updated requirements for the storage, placement and quality of excess soil on sites that are licenced or permitted under the Aggregate Resources Act.
In addition, the regulation now identifies specific circumstances where you must:
- retain a qualified person (such as an engineer or geoscientist) to assess the site to determine and record the suitable excess soil quality standard
- develop a fill management plan
- confirm that the storage and placement of excess soil is completed in accordance with the Rules for Soil Management and Excess Soil Quality Standards (PDF), referred to as “Excess Soil Standards” on this page
Requirements for the quality of excess soil
To help protect water and public land resources, we have included requirements for the quality of any excess soil placed at pits and quarries authorized under the Aggregate Resources Act:
- the quality of excess soil finally placed at an aggregate site must meet the applicable excess soil quality standards in accordance with:
- the Excess Soil Standards referenced in Ontario Regulation 406/19: On-site and Excess Soil Management
- the end use identified in the approved rehabilitation plan for the site
- excess soil placed below the water table must meet the quality standards in Table 1 in the Excess Soil Standards (PDF) and the leachate screening levels set out in Table 1 of Appendix 2 of the Excess Soil Standards
- excess soil placed on Crown land must meet the quality standards for agricultural and other property use in the Excess Soil Standards
In accordance with the new requirements, you must also keep records that detail:
- where the excess soil was transported from (such as the source site)
- the quality of excess soil received (beginning January 1, 2023)
- quantity of excess soil received
- the location where excess soil has been placed at the pit or quarry (if receiving from more than one source site)
Excess soil policy changes
In addition to the regulatory changes, we finalized the following policies which also came into effect July 1, 2022:
- applicants requesting to import excess soil must demonstrate that the quantity of soil is needed for a beneficial reuse that is consistent with the rehabilitation plan for the pit or quarry
- when the approved rehabilitation plan does not identify an end use, the excess soil quality standard is restricted to agricultural or other use in accordance with the Excess Soil Standards (PDF)
- licensees and permittees will follow best management practices (PDF) when storing and placing excess soil in pits and quarries
- applicants requesting to fill-to-grade must consider potential impacts to the community from the fill operation (such as truck traffic, noise, dust and prolonged life of the site)
- liquid soil (as defined by Ontario Regulation 406/19) will not be authorized for importation at a pit or quarry under the Aggregate Resources Act
For licences and permits approved before July 1, 2022, rules have been added that, when followed, enable some conditions (that no longer apply under the updated regulation) to be removed from a site plan when filed with the ministry. For more information, read the Amendment without approval and self-filing a site plan amendment section.
Abandoned aggregate sites
Pits and quarries on private land that stopped operating before they were required to obtain a licence are considered abandoned or legacy sites.
Where the landowner has granted permission, these sites can be rehabilitated by the Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation under the Management of Abandoned Aggregate Properties Program.
Management of abandoned aggregate properties
Annual aggregate fees and royalties
The Aggregate Resources Act and its regulations require aggregate operators to pay fees related to the extraction of aggregate materials. Aggregate licence and permit holders must pay an annual fee. Some annual fees are shared.
Royalties are paid to the Crown for use of Crown-owned aggregate.
Annual adjustment
Fees and royalties will be adjusted annually to account for inflation, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 244/97. This adjustment will follow the Ontario Consumer Price Index. We will post the adjusted fees and royalties before January 1 of every year.
Fee and royalty rates
Fees and royalties will be charged as follows:
Charge | 2023 Production | 2024 Production |
---|---|---|
Annual Fee – Class A Licences and Aggregate Permits authorized to remove more than 20,000 tonnes annually | 22.7 cents/tonne or $789, whichever is greater | 23.7 cents/tonne or $825, whichever is greater |
Annual Fee – Class B Licences or Aggregate Permits authorized to remove 20,000 tonnes or less annually | 22.7 cents/tonne or $394, whichever is greater | 23.7 cents/tonne or $412, whichever is greater |
Wayside Permit Issuance Fee | 22.7 cents/tonne or $789, whichever is greater | 23.7 cents/tonne or $825, whichever is greater |
Minimum Royalty (except as noted below) | 57.4 cents/tonne | 60.0 cents/tonne |
Where do fees go?
Fees collected from licences, wayside permits and aggregate permits will be distributed approximately as follows:
- 3% to the Aggregate Resources Trust for rehabilitation and research
- 61% to the local municipality in which the site is located
- 15% to the upper-tier municipality in which the site is located
- 21% to the Crown (minimum)