Should a 950,000-Tonne Gravel Pit Be Approved Near Woodstock?

Official title: S.A.M.I Holdings Ltd. - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Natural Resources
S.A.M.I Holdings Ltd. wants to open a large gravel pit in South-West Oxford Township, near Woodstock. The pit would cover about 60 hectares and extract up to 950,000 tonnes of aggregate annually. That's a significant operation for the area. The company has submitted environmental, noise, and agricultural impact studies for review.

Why This Matters

Live near Innes Line in South-West Oxford? This pit would operate right in your backyard. Expect truck traffic, noise, and dust if approved. If you rely on well water, the groundwater studies matter to you. Even if you're not a neighbour, aggregate operations shape local roads and farmland for decades.

What Could Change

If approved, S.A.M.I Holdings could extract nearly a million tonnes of gravel annually from 40 hectares of farmland. The licence would set conditions for noise limits, truck routes, and site rehabilitation. The pit would operate above the water table, but groundwater monitoring may be required.

Key Issues

  • Should this large-scale gravel extraction be approved in prime agricultural land?
  • Will noise and truck traffic impacts on nearby residents be adequately mitigated?
  • Are groundwater and surface water resources adequately protected?
  • Is the proposed site rehabilitation plan sufficient to restore the land?

How to Participate

  1. Review the application materials at the Township of South-West Oxford Municipal Office (312915 Dereham Line, Mt. Elgin) or the County of Oxford Municipal Office (21 Reeve Street, Woodstock).
  2. Submit your comment through the Environmental Registry of Ontario. Include ERO number 025-1335 in your submission.
  3. Email your comments to meghan.gerrie@ontario.ca at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Aggregates Section.

Events

Date Event Location
December 16, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST Public Information Session 524971 Curry Road, South-West Oxford, ON

Key Documents