About the Acton Quarry

The Acton Quarry was established in the early 1900s, and has been an important contributor to the local economy and society for more than 100 years. In fact, several historic kilns can be found on our site. Dufferin Aggregates has been proudly operating in Acton since 2001.

Many people aren't aware of just how important aggregates are and the central role they play in our daily lives. Aggregates are necessary for the construction of a wide range of infrastructure projects including hospitals, schools, office buildings, transit facilities, roads, bridges, new homes, home renovations and public open spaces. In short, aggregates are the source from which our homes and communities are built.

Who is Dufferin Aggregates?

Dufferin Aggregates, a division of CRH Canada Group Inc., is a leading supplier of aggregates for the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and adjacent municipalities.

Where are we located in Acton?

The Dufferin Aggregates Acton Quarry is located in Halton Region's amalgamated town of Halton Hills, between the communities of Acton and Limehouse. The Quarry consists of 222 hectares of licensed lands, located 2 km southeast of the Town of Acton. The site contains three sections separated by 22nd Side Road and Third Line.

What is the Niagara Escarpment?

The Acton Quarry is located adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment, a unique and sensitive geological landform that has been designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Niagara Escarpment is a prominent bedrock ridge that was formed more than 400 million years ago. It is more than 700 km long, extending from New York State, into Ontario at Niagara Falls to the tip of Tobermory, Ontario and onto Manatoulin Island and beyond into Michigan State. The escarpment has many valuable natural resources including the dolomitic limestone extracted at the Acton Quarry.

The Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act regulates the land uses on the Niagara Escarpment. Mineral Resource Extraction is permitted in the Niagara Escarpment Plan but is subject to obtaining the necessary approvals. Dufferin Aggregates meets all of the approvals in place and is proactive about ensuring it complies with all guidelines.

Geology:

Bedrock geology is a general term that refers to solid rock beneath the surface of the earth. The bedrock mined at the Acton Quarry is dolomitic limestone and is referred to by geologists as the Middle Silurian Amabel Formation. Limestone is a sedimentary rock and was formed over 400 million years ago during a period when the area was under water.

What makes the Amabel Limestone at the Acton Quarry an important aggregate resource?
It is located at or close to the surface of the ground and is up to 30 metres thick, with sufficient depths, making mining more efficient;
It is capable of producing high quality strong and durable construction materials including concrete stone, asphalt stone, granulars, drainage stone, screenings and landscape stone; and
It is close to GTA and other key markets which makes transportation more cost effective.
Acton Quarry is close to one of the largest construction markets in Canada - the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) - making the Amabel Limestone of particular local importance.

Interesting fact:

Sea creatures, primarily small invertebrates like corals, trilobites and shellfish lived in the sea. These creatures had a hard outer shell made of calcium carbonate. When they died they fell to the sea floor and mixed with sand, silt and clay. Over time, the mixture hardened due to the downward pressure of overlying material and water, which created limestone.

Dufferin Aggregates Truck Monitoring Station:

Dufferin Aggregates is monitoring Acton Quarry truck traffic offenders on Maple Avenue (in front of the Town of Halton Hills office). For more information please refer to this document.