Previous Industry Recognition Award Winners

The Environmental Achievement Award recognizes exceptional achievements in developing industry-leading initiatives that protect and improve the environment.

• Miller Paving Bees, Trees & Seeds Program

  Miller Paving is championing biodiversity and environmental stewardship across Ontario through its innovative "Bees, Trees, and Seeds" initiative. Launched in 2023, this multi-site program addresses the global decline of pollinator species by transforming aggregate sites into thriving habitats. The "Bees" component of the program partners with local beekeepers to host 350 beehives across 16 sites, supporting millions of honeybees. To provide these vital pollinators with a steady food source, the "Seeds" branch has established numerous pollinator gardens featuring native wildflowers and developed a custom seed mix that will grow in a range of conditions. Miller also organizes and distributes pollinator-friendly seed packets, encouraging employees and the community to plant their own pollinator gardens. To date, nearly 30,000 seed packets have been distributed. Complementing these efforts, the "Trees" pillar of the initiative focuses on large-scale reforestation and carbon sequestration. Since 2022, Miller has planted over 65,000 trees, more than halfway toward its goal of planting 115,000 trees by 2032. These trees will create habitat for many species and, once established, will act as carbon sinks, helping mitigate the impacts of climate change. The Bees, Trees and Seeds initiative is uniquely designed to maximize its impact on both the environment and employees, and it serves as a scalable model for environmental excellence. Miller considers this initiative an ongoing commitment throughout the company. Each year, the project aims to grow and expand its reach to more locations across Miller operations. The program will continue to participate in events and hand out honey and seeds to expand the reach of the educational component and encourage pollinator-friendly spaces. The multi-faceted approach to the initiative demonstrates Miller's dedication to being an industry leader in environmental and land stewardship.

The Community Relations Award recognizes those who have demonstrated leadership in promoting good neighbour relations, community involvement, education, and industry awareness.

• Amrize Canada West Paris & West Paris Extension Pit

  The West Paris and West Paris Extension Pits have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to community relations and operational excellence. Noise mitigation is a top priority, with perimeter berms designed by noise consultants. These berms are enhanced with regularly maintained trees and shrubs to ensure the site blends into the surrounding landscape. Dust control is managed through a dedicated water truck for internal roads and the 2024 installation of a new sprinkler system at the haul truck exit to eliminate material track-out. Community involvement is central to the West Paris team. In 2023, the site’s holiday food and toy drive raised over $20,000 in donations for local groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters, and employees volunteered to sort over 4,500 pounds of food for the Hamilton Food Share. The site also supports local causes through annual donations to the Woodstock Triathlon Club and the Hospital Activity Book for children. Education is equally important, with the pit hosting tours for grade four students and environmental engineering students from the University of Waterloo to showcase sustainable mining and rehabilitation practices.

• CBM Aggregates Osprey Quarry

  Osprey Quarry is committed to being a responsible neighbour through rigorous operational controls and active community engagement. To manage noise, the site uses vegetated berms, tree screens and the surrounding natural forest to shield the community from unwanted sounds and views. Operations are limited to regular hours, and equipment is meticulously maintained to prevent unnecessary noise. The quarry also emphasizes traffic safety, posting clear signage to remind drivers to avoid using engine brakes when approaching the village of Singhampton. Community involvement is central to Osprey Quarry’s values. Since 2021, CBM has been an annual sponsor of the Grey Highlands RAM Rodeo, with all proceeds supporting the construction of the new Markdale Hospital. Public outreach is a key focus, highlighted by a community Open House in September 2025. The site also hosts educational tours for stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), to showcase sustainable mining and progressive rehabilitation efforts. Through these efforts and others, CBM remains dedicated to building strong relationships with the local community.

• Ethier Sand and Gravel Dill Pit

  Ethier Sand and Gravel operates the Dill Pit with a strong commitment to responsible work practices and open communication with the Greater Sudbury community. The site implements rigorous measures to minimize its operational footprint. Dust is controlled with water trucks on access roads and at stockpiles. To manage noise and ensure safety, the pit follows a comprehensive traffic control plan. When blasting is required, neighbours are notified in advance, and all events are monitored to ensure noise and vibration levels remain within MECP guidelines. Beyond operations, Ethier Sand and Gravel supports local initiatives. The company provides material donations to projects such as the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee and Kivi Park. It also provides monetary support to the Pregnancy Care Centre and the Infant Food Bank. Families are invited to engage with the quarry through events like the Big Truck Show. The site also hosts two certified shooting ranges for the Ontario Provincial Police and the Greater Sudbury Police Service, providing a unique benefit to local law enforcement.

• Fisher Wavy Wavy Quarry

  Building on an 85-year legacy of excellence in Greater Sudbury, Fisher Wavy’s Wavy Quarry has shown a commitment to proactive community relations. Located in the city’s West End, the quarry implements measures to ensure operations remain respectful of its neighbours. To mitigate noise, the site maintains a natural tree screen and has constructed an oversized rock berm within the quarry. Furthermore, all blasting is monitored by experts and neighbours receive hand-delivered or emailed notices to maintain open lines of communication with the operations manager. Beyond its operational excellence, Fisher Wavy is a pillar of the community, supporting a wide range of local organizations including Kivi Park, the Sudbury Food Bank and United Way. Their philanthropic reach extends to healthcare and education, with significant contributions to SickKids, Health Sciences North and local post-secondary institutions. The quarry also supports education by hosting student tours for Laurentian University, Cambrian College and Collège Boréal. This commitment solidifies Fisher Wavy’s leadership in community involvement in Northern Ontario.

• Miller Paving Clinton Pit

  Miller Paving’s Clinton Pit remains steadfast in its focus on environmental stewardship and community partnership. To manage noise and dust, the site uses significant natural grade separations, naturalized berms and heavily treed buffers along its boundaries. As a leader in sustainable practices, the pit follows a state-of-the-art phased rehabilitation plan that ensures progressive reforestation occurs alongside extraction. This commitment was further demonstrated at a 2025 employee event, where over 300 trees were planted on-site. Community engagement is seamlessly integrated into the Clinton Pit’s operations through its unique partnership with the Maitland Trail Association. In 2025, Miller facilitated a new trail reroute along the Maitland River, providing public land access and donating over 250 tonnes of screenings for trail development. This partnership culminated in the "Lavis Lookout," a dedicated area featuring a commemorative bench and interpretive signage that educate hikers about aggregate extraction and local restoration efforts. Beyond the trail, employees participate in the annual Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer tournament, contributing to the millions raised for cancer research.

• Walker Aggregates & Construction Duntroon Quarry

  Walker Aggregates & Construction operates the Duntroon Quarry, upholding a long-standing tradition of excellence and deep respect for its unique natural setting. To ensure the site remains a responsible neighbour, employing rigorous operational controls, including water trucks for dust suppression and regular equipment maintenance to minimize noise. As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, the quarry’s final rehabilitation plan includes side-sloping walls with overburden to allow the site to fill with water, creating a future space for recreational and natural activities. Community partnership is a cornerstone of Duntroon Quarry’s operations, as evidenced by its Public Liaison Committee and community newsletters. The quarry proudly supports local causes, recently sponsoring "Hat Night" for the Stayner Siskins and donating food and money to the Clearview Stayner Food Bank. The quarry also invests in the industry's future by apprenticing young workers from local secondary schools in trades such as heavy equipment mechanics and surface mining.

OSSGA recognizes the ongoing efforts of individual operators to progressively rehabilitate their sites per their site plans.

• CBM Aggregates Gray Pit

  In 2025, CBM Aggregates completed the rehabilitation of 22.6 hectares of the Gray Pit for agricultural use. The project involved earthmoving to create stable, naturally rolling fields, including a 5:1 side slope on the west and a 3:1 slope in the northeast. About 191,200 cubic metres of overburden was moved to contour the slopes and pit floor. After contouring, 34,500 cubic metres of topsoil was spread across the area. In June 2025, the site was seeded with an agricultural mix using a seed drill. By September, the area showed healthy growth, successfully returning to a sustainable agricultural landscape.

• CBM Aggregates Osprey Quarry

  Progressive rehabilitation at the Osprey Quarry has successfully naturalized a one hectare section of the site's west wall. Completed over two years, ending in 2025, the project focused on creating a stable 2:1 side slope that integrates with the surrounding landscape. To support healthy re-vegetation, overburden was contour-graded and topped with a six inch layer of nutrient-rich topsoil. The rehabilitation area was then hydroseeded with specialized bonding agents and fertilizer to prevent erosion and promote robust growth. This ensures the long-term stabilization of the area, transforming the quarry into a sustainable, vegetated environment.

• CBM Aggregates Sunderland Pit

  In early 2025, CBM Aggregates began progressive rehabilitation across 3.7 hectares of the Sunderland Pit to establish stable 3:1 side slopes and restore the natural landscape. The work included cutting existing banks and re-grading eroded areas. Overburden was moved from on-site storage berms to shape the northern and central sections, and topsoil was then applied at a depth of six inches. To ensure long-term stabilization, the area was hydroseeded in the spring of 2025 with a custom mix of buckwheat, clover, tall fescue and annual rye. Reinforcing with fertilizer and a bonding agent encourages natural re-vegetation and the transition to a sustainable ecosystem.

• Miller Paving Boyington Pit 1

  In the summer of 2025, Miller Paving began agricultural rehabilitation on four hectares of previously extracted land at Boyington Pit 1. To create a gentle landscape, subsoil from nearby banks was moved to shape the land. With limited on-site topsoil, about 1,600 tri-axle loads of high-quality soil were imported, and 2,000 m³ of stored topsoil was added to form the growing medium. After grading and ripping to reduce soil compaction, the area was cultivated and seeded in September 2025 with winter wheat at a ratio of 1,400,000 seeds per acre. This effort successfully returned the area to productive farmland, with a full harvest planned for 2026.

• Miller Paving Neutel Pit

  Miller Paving successfully naturalized 12.8 acres of the Neutel Pit between 2023 and 2025, focusing on slope stabilization and the restoration of high-quality farmland. The project included backfilling side slopes to a 3:1 ratio and levelling the pit floor to maximize farmable land. A total of 32,800 m³ of material was moved, including the placement of approximately 20 cm of overburden and 15 cm of topsoil. In 2024, the northwest area was successfully seeded with soybeans. Due to dry conditions in 2025, the southern 1.8-hectare section was stabilized with an interim fescue and rye grass mix to prevent erosion and prepare the soil for full agricultural cropping in 2026. This transition is supported by a comprehensive soil monitoring program to ensure long-term fertility and sustainable yields.

• Miller Paving Whitelaw Pit

  Between November 2023 and October 2025, Miller Paving rehabilitated 2.3 hectares at the Whitelaw Pit for agricultural use, ensuring proper drainage. The work involved backfilling side slopes to a 3:1 ratio and contour-grading the pit floor. They moved 45,275 m³ of subgrade material, including imported topsoil graded to at least 100 mm. A dozer with a ripper attachment alleviated soil compaction before topsoil application. After rock picking and cultivation, 1.3 hectares were seeded with corn in June 2024, and one hectare was prepared for planting in 2026. This effort returned the area to productive farmland, with the first-year corn harvest yielding about two tonnes per acre.