Sand & gravel aggregate

POTENTIAL & KNOWN RESERVES IN ALBERTA

≈55–75 Mt/yr production (derived); #1 Alberta mineral by value and tonnage

Confidence: Indicated

• Production (1991)45.5 Mt worth C$163 M, 2nd in CanadaAGS OFR 1995-08 ↗
• Per-capita demand12–15 t/yr → ≈55–75 Mt/yr (derived, unverified)Alberta Sand & Gravel Association ↗
• Susan Lake pit11.83 Mt in 2008 (record)Rock to Road ↗
• Pit price≈C$5.79/t (2006) + C$0.15/t-mile haulAGS aggregate economics ↗

Where it occurs

• Preglacial channels Edmonton–Lloydminster
• Calgary / Bow valley terraces
• Susan Lake and Athabasca terraces
• Peace River terraces

Live Atlas valuation (reference scenario)

1 subsurface asset priced by the Atlas engine: economic value $11B. Move the Scenario Laboratory sliders on the map to reprice.

• Peace River Aggregate Corridor1.2K Mt in place · recoverable $11B · economic $11B (100% clears break-even)

GEOLOGY: WHAT MAKES A DEPOSIT MORE LIKELY

Buried preglacial channel gravels and glacial outwash; quality depends on clast lithology (quartzite / chert vs shale).

Host formations

Empress Formation preglacial gravels · Glaciofluvial outwash · Modern river terraces

Depth range

0–30 m

Favourable conditions

• Thick clean gravel with low shale and deleterious content
• Within 50 km of demand centres or oil sands mines
• Thin overburden and above the water table
• Not sterilized by urban growth or wetlands

Prospectivity envelopes on the map (1)

• Preglacial and glaciofluvial gravel corridorsHighly favourable
  Buried preglacial channel gravels and outwash deposits · 0–30 m
  • Preglacial Empress Formation gravels and modern terraces near demand centres
  • Supply near Edmonton and Calgary is depleting; haul distance drives price
  Source: AGS Sand and Gravel Aggregate Potential (IAM-002).

DATASETS THAT TEST THE TARGET

Stack these layers on the integrated map

Discriminating datasets first, then every catalogued public dataset tagged to this commodity. Verified endpoints draw directly; link-only entries open the publisher page.

• Surficial sand & gravel deposits (DIG 2015-0027)Alberta Geological Survey · Surficial geology · drawable · verifiedDirect aggregate and placer target layer; also screens silica sand and construction supply near demand centres.Source ↗
• Surficial geology of Alberta (Map 601 tiles)Alberta Geological Survey · Surficial geology · drawable · verifiedCover type and thickness proxy; controls aggregate, placer, peat and indicator-mineral dispersal trains.Source ↗
• Bedrock topography (DIG 2020-0022 tiles)Alberta Geological Survey · Structure, depth & isopach · drawable · verifiedBuried valleys and bedrock highs: where cover is thin (cheap stripping) and where preglacial gravels pool.Source ↗
• Bedrock physiography / buried bedrock zonesAlberta Geological Survey · Structure, depth & isopach · drawable · verifiedRegional framework for cover thickness and preglacial drainage.Source ↗
• Groundwater wells & vulnerability (TITAN)Alberta Environment and Protected Areas · Wells · drawable · verifiedShallow aquifer constraints for pits, CBM and brine disposal.Source ↗
• Metallic, placer, quarriable & salt mine boundariesAlberta Energy and Minerals · Mines & operations · drawable · verifiedOfficial footprints of non-energy mines and brine fields.Source ↗

VALUE & VALUE CHAIN

Pit-gate aggregate: ≈C$5.79/t (2006, dated) plus haul

Flat pit-gate price in the Atlas; haul distance dominates delivered cost.

Value chain

1. Pit
2. Crushing and screening
3. Truck haul
4. Concrete, asphalt, road base, oil sands roads and dykes

Industries and products that rely on it

DEMAND & PRODUCTION PROJECTIONS

What the forecasts say

• DemandGrows with population; supply tightens near Edmonton and Calgary

Key risks

• Urban sterilization of deposits
• Municipal permitting
• Groundwater interaction

DEVELOPMENT: TENURE, ROYALTY, PERMITTING

What a developer needs to know

Tenure

Crown pits under Public Lands Act Surface Material Lease / Licence; private land by agreement (surface rights, not Mines and Minerals Act).

Royalty

Public Lands surface material royalty plus municipal Community Aggregate Payment levy (max $0.40/t).

Lead time

1–3 years

Permitting path

1. EPEA Code of Practice for Pits
2. Municipal development permit
3. Water Act for dewatering
4. Reclamation security

Infrastructure needs

• Crushers and screens
• Haul roads

Active players

Recommended next steps

• Protect mapped deposits from sterilization in municipal plans
• Use AGS aggregate potential to site pits inside 50 km of growth corridors

MINES, PILOTS & PROJECTS (1)

Who is already working this commodity in Alberta

• Susan Lake gravel pitAggregate pit · Athabasca Minerals / Fort McKay partners · Record 11.8 Mt in 2008; largest pit in AlbertaOperating (2026)Supplies oil sands mines; aggregate is Alberta's #1 mineral by value and tonnage.Source ↗