Stone, Sand and Gravel Review - May/June 2009 - (Page 30)
For the ship-loading facility, the team used specially designed piles to reduce the environmental impacts when placed in bedrock and contracted an independent marine biologist to ensure compliance with agreed procedures on the highly sensitive intertidal zone. Working cooperatively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and First Nations stakeholders to compensate for the environmental impacts of the piles’ footprint, an artificial rock reef was built substantially larger than was required and more than 4,000 juvenile Northern Abalone, a species at risk, were transplanted onto the reef. By acting locally and thinking globally, Polaris delivers a significant additional positive effect when delivering Orca products to California; specifically, the reduction of emissions of CO2 and other gases, particularly in the large coastal cities of California. The amount of carbon emissions released in the atmosphere by the Orca Quarry, the ships transporting its products to California and by road distribution of aggregates to customers is expected to be significantly lower than equivalent emissions generated by any existing or proposed quarries located in an inland area that depends on traditional over-land delivery of aggregate materials. Employing large-scale Panamaxclass ships to transport the aggregates is considerably more energy-efficient than current long-distance trucking methods, resulting in several million less truck-miles driven, Working Partnerships Polaris and its First Nations partners control spectacular assets that are rare and precious. The Orca Quarry is currently in production, shipping more than 2.3 million tons of sand and gravel in 2008, the first full year of operation. It is expected to become one of the largest and most cost-efficient quarries in Canada, with an anticipated life of decades. Polaris management has put into practice its belief that high social and environmental standards do not conflict with the bottom line. Without this belief, and respect for First Nations’ rights and heritage, it is possible that Polaris would not have received the regulatory, community or financial goahead for these projects. These efforts have not gone unrecognized. Polaris has received the 2006 Mining and Sustainability Award from the Mining Association of British Columbia, the 2007 e3 Environmental Excellence in Exploration Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and the Stuart O’Brian Safety Award for zero lost time accidents. The Orca Quarry is the foundation of Polaris’ future. It is a world-class asset that has been given the care and attention it deserved, and is, as a result, embraced by local communities. This operation will bring a measure of prosperity and economic diversification to Vancouver Island, and will hopefully serve as a new benchmark and a positive model of cooperation between business, rural communities and First Nations. ■ IT TAKES GUTS. RUBBER DUST SHIELD DIPPED SHELL RESISTS CORROSION FELT COVER 25mm SHAFT TRIPLE LABYRINTH SEAL PATENTED POLYMER ENDCAP 6205 DEEP GROOVE BALL BEARING BASED ON LUFF STANDARD CEMA C ROLLER Luff Industries Ltd. produces the finest line of conveyor products available on the market today. Call to find out how Luff can increase your conveying performance. TOLL-FREE: 1-888-349-LUFF (5833) IDLERS · PULLEYS · IMPACT BEDS · ACCESSORIES 235010 Wrangler Road, Rocky View (Calgary) Alberta, Canada T1X 0K3 TOLL-FREE: 1.888.349.LUFF (5833) | www.luffindustries.com 30 Stone, Sand & Gravel Review, May/June 2009
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