Current and future demand for aggregate in the Edmonton region

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 82, No. 923, 1989

W.A.D. Edwards, Alberta Geological Survey, Alberta Research Council

The Edmonton region accounted for 40% of Alberta's sand and gravel production in 1981 (about 12 million m3). Most of this production was by commercial operations (75%) for use in essential public works projects (64% in road and asphalt production). Although the Alberta Geological Survey delineated 1157 million m3 of gravel, a number of areas are considered to be in short supply. An econometric model was used for forecast demand in the region. Predictions, based on this forecast and estimated supply, are that 15 % of the region's gravel and 3 % of the sand will be consumed by the year 2010. The City of Edmonton is the largest consumer of aggregate in the region. Approximately 40% of the gravel in Edmonton's current supply area (about 55 km radius) will be used by 2010. These estimates are considered optimistic because the supply figures do not account for sterilization of deposits — some has already taken place in the region. If 25% to 50% of Edmonton's current supplies (one major deposit) were sterilized it would result in $1,000 million of additional cost due to increased haulage alone. Information on the value of aggregate resources, the location of sand and gravel deposits and forecast demand has been made available to all municipalities in the region to aid planners and regulators in effective future use of this important resource.

Keywords: Industrial minerals, Aggregates, Mineral deposits, Sand, Gravel