Nature in Your Sites/Location

Deer enjoying a field reclaimed with bio-solids

Some background info:

Central Aggregates has been using municipal biosolids generated by Metro Vancouver to fabricate soil for reclamation and site closure. The biosolids are blended with sand and wash plant fines sourced from onsite to create a well draining subsoil to be used for site grading, in preparation for placement of topsoil.

Use of biosolids in this scenario provides several internal and external benefits.
-Lafarge is providing a major outlet for a waste product generated by Metro Vancouver, that is otherwise hauled to a landfill. This partnership provides positive brand identity across the Greater Vancouver Area and solidifies Lafarge's reliability as a service provider to Metro Vancouver.
-Lafarge is using an onsite waste product (wash plant fines) as a feedstock for subsoil, reducing waste material stockpile size and increasing the usable footprint of the site.
-The project is driving progressive reclamation across a large portion of the site, bringing in ecosystem services such as increased species habitat, dust control, water retention, as well as erosion and sediment control.
-The use of biosolids in the subsoil increases the nutrient density of the soils, resulting in enhanced vegetation growth and subsequent habitat creation.
-Once finalized, the area that are reclaimed can be removed from the mine permit and rezoned to a non-Industrial purpose. This will reduce carrying costs of the operation in terms of reclamation securities, as well as a reduced tax burden.

By Holly Shurey, Canada