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Aggregates

Last updated on July 11, 2016

The term “aggregates” refers to coarse material such as sand and gravel, formed by erosion of rock substances. Aggregates are used extensively in the construction industry either in the building of new roads or as one of the main ingredients in concrete.

More Aggregate Needed for Roads

In northeast B.C., the increase in oil and gas exploration activity has resulted in the construction of new roads and has led to a need for local sources of aggregate. Aggregate deposits have been largely depleted in some areas of active petroleum development.

Improved access and transportation cost savings to resource companies will also enhance viability of projects and encourage exploration investment, potentially leading to new discoveries and increased royalties. The identification and evaluation of new aggregate reserves will ensure that oil and gas exploration in northeast British Columbia is able to continue and benefit all British Columbians.

The data presented here reflects an applied research effort by government to locate new sources of aggregate in northeast British Columbia.  Although this work has ceased, the data collected is still relevant and can be used to help locate new aggregate deposits.

Exploration Methods  

Traditional mapping techniques are relatively ineffective for locating new deposits of aggregate in the Boreal Plains of northeast B.C. New surface and subsurface data sets, along with aerial photos, were used to identify areas with good potential aggregate deposits. These data sets include:
  • Well logs (water, shot-hole, conductor pipe, gamma)
  • Vegetation, soils
  • DEMs, Landsat, Radarsat
  • Ground geophysics
  • Airborne aeromagnetics and high resolution electromagnetics

Aggregate Information

Study Area Maps 

Aggregate mapping was conducted both regionally and at site-specific locations between the Alberta/B.C. border and the Alaska Highway (Highway 97), extending north from the Dawson Creek area to the British Columbia/Northwest Territories border.

Thirteen 1:50,000 scale aggregate potential maps for areas proximal to Sierra-Yoyo-Desan (SYD) Road (2002).

       
NTS 94I/11 
(3.82 MB PDF)		 NTS 94I/12 
(3.61MB PDF)		 NTS 94I/13 
(3.49MB PDF)		 NTS 94I/14 
(3.96MB PDF)
NTS 94J/09 
(3.15MB PDF)		 NTS 94J/10 
(1.23MB PDF)		 NTS 94J/15 
(1.59MB PDF)		 NTS 94J/16 
(2.92MB PDF)
NTS 94P/02 
(2.50MB PDF)		 NTS 94P/03 
(2.56MB PDF)		 NTS 94P/04 
(3.17MB PDF)		 NTS 94P/05 
(2.86MB PDF)
NTS 94P/07 
(2.98MB PDF)		 NTS 94P/10
(2.57MB PDF)		    

Regional Overview Papers  

Regional Overview Papers - General information regarding aggregate mapping and surficial geology studies in northeast British Columbia.

Detailed Aggregate Studies 

Detailed descriptions of aggregate deposits including test pitting and laboratory results, and maps of test pit locations.

SIERRA-YOYO-DESAN (SYD) ROAD AREA GRAVEL INVESTIGATION

Aggregate Prospect Reports 

A series of reports detailing aggregate prospects in northeast British Columbia

Geophysical Surveys   

Remote subsurface investigation through geophysical techniques.
Apparent Resistivity: 1:20 000 scale maps for coplanar frequencies used in the 2003 EM survey (Fugro Airborne Surveys)

Remote Sensing/GIS