If you live near Dufferin Aggregates' Acton quarry and you’ve heard or felt more noticeable blasting lately, you’re not alone.
Several posts on community Facebook groups suggest the neighbourhood near the quarry has become noisier in recent times with the sounds of blasting, and some report brief but intense shaking of the ground and scared pets.
“The level of our operations have remained unchanged since 2022, but the locations of the blasts have changed,” explained Mejasoa Razafimihary, director of communications for CRH Canada – Dufferin Aggregates' parent company. “Depending on where you live (in Acton), you may be able to feel the blasts more than you did last year.”
She also suggested weather plays a part in the severity of the blasts, saying they feel more intense when it's cloudy and there's a low ceiling when compared to a sunny day.
Each blast is scheduled to take place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., though some will fall outside of that window.
Razafimihary said while the blasts may seem large, the company uses less power than it's allowed.
“There is a level of vibration in the ground that is authorized, and we stay way lower than what is authorized by regulations,” she said.
There's no word on how long the blasts are expected to continue in the current area at the quarry.
Those who live near the quarry may have received flyers, which were delivered by Dufferin in the past few months with updates on blasting. A company representative said as many as 130 properties in the area received the flyers prior to the quarry opening for the season.
Anyone with further questions about the quarry can reach out to [email protected] for more information.
