PLANT UPDATES
NOTIFICATIONS
Blasting update: Friday, December 16, 2022
Lafarge will be blasting in the Exshaw quarry on Friday, December 16, 2022. The blast will take place at approximately 2:30 p.m. If you would like to receive email updates on blasting operations, please contact info.exshaw@lafargeholcim.com.
Back Mountain Project blasting
With work underway on the Back Mountain Project, community members can expect an increase in blasting during the day. These smaller blasts could occur multiple times throughout the day. To minimize disruption and to differentiate from regular production blasts, the project will utilize three blows from an air horn as a signal instead of a siren. The air horn will be quieter. The siren will still be used for regular production-related blasts.
Operating permit renewal
Every 10 years, Lafarge must renew its operating permit with the Government of Alberta. This is a standard process for all mining operations. Lafarge will host a community Open House on October 27, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Exshaw Community Hall. At this time, we will update the community on the renewal process once the application is complete.
NEWS
Community reminder: Please stay away from active mining areas
Mining and blasting locations are shifting now that Lafarge’s Back Mountain Project is underway. There is an increased chance of rockfall from work that is currently being done on top of the ridge as part of this multi-phase, multi-year project. To make it clear this...
Back Mountain Project work started up in early-October
Lafarge started work on the Back Mountain Project during the first week of October. The intent of this three-year project is to extend the north wall of the Exshaw quarry to provide access to the limestone reserves the plant needs for the future. With work commencing,...
Ten-year operating approval up for renewal in May 2021
Lafarge’s 10-year permit with the Government of Alberta is up for approval in May 2021. Since 2019, Lafarge has been granted back-to-back, one-year extensions while awaiting the decision on its amendment to use low carbon fuels onsite. With the low carbon fuels...
Lafarge’s Low Carbon Fuels Project gets green light from Government
Lafarge's multi-year, multi-phase Low Carbon Fuels (LCF) Project has been approved by the Government of Alberta. Alberta Environment and Parks signed an amendment on April 23, 2020 with a series of terms and conditions to be met, including an air quality monitoring...
Source of the vibration in community will inform future blasts
A weaker than usual seam of rock along the edge of the quarry is thought to have contributed to vibrations felt in the community on August 5, 2020. Excavation unveiled a small fractured seam amongst good rock. Vibrations can travel freely through this type of...
Lafarge supports Morley radio show
To assist with the communication of public health measures on Stoney Nakoda Nation, Lafarge sponsored a radio program featuring Elders speaking about the importance of COVID-19 safety measures and precautions. These public service announcements have been running...
Plant updates: designing digital programming to be COVID safe and more
Lafarge’s Exshaw Cement Plant continues to look for ways to do better—environmentally, economically, and in the community. We are focused on everything from education initiatives to partnering with our neighbours on community support and outreach. Here is just a...
Hosting government officials
Lafarge hosted representatives from the Government of Alberta this summer, including Minister of Transportation, Ric McIver and Minister of Infrastructure, Prasad Panda; and Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin. They were briefed on the challenges and opportunities...
Update for Exshaw and Lac des Arcs community members regarding August 5 blasting vibration
The safety of our surrounding communities is of the utmost importance to Lafarge. Our neighbours and employees expect there to be limited vibrations felt by the community from blasting operations. With each blast, we purposefully aim to be well below threshold values...
Regarding blasting operations on August 5, 2020
On August 5, 2020 we conducted a scheduled blast inside the South East Ridgeline of the quarry. The blast was scheduled for 2:30 p.m., however, the blast was slightly delayed. The blast siren was activated at approximately 2:50 p.m. and the blast was fired at 2:51...
