Aggregate 101

Aggregate refers to sand, rocks, gravel, crushed stone, shale, and any rock product mined from the ground. These materials play a crucial role in various construction projects, from building roads and schools to hospitals and water treatment plants. Much like oil or gas, aggregates are a non-renewable natural resource that demands protection and respect.

This invaluable resource is omnipresent in your community. Daily, you interact with thousands of tonnes of aggregate—whether driving on roads, playing in parks, or even residing in your home. Sand, gravel, and other rock products are utilized in numerous places for diverse purposes, including playgrounds, baseball diamonds, winter roads, home construction, hospitals, and community centers.

On average, each Albertan utilizes 10-15 tonnes of aggregate annually, equivalent to a full truckload.

Aggregates are non-renewable, and once land is developed, access to aggregate is permanently lost. If local aggregate resources are not available, the cost of hauling aggregates from distant sites increases. Every kilometer of travel adds $0.10/tonne to gravel costs, along with heightened vehicle emissions and wear on roads.

Have you ever considered the indispensable role aggregates play in our daily lives? From constructing sturdy buildings and creating picturesque landscapes to building robust road networks, aggregates are the unsung heroes of construction, adding strength, durability, and functionality to the structures and environments we interact with every day.