BC Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (BCSSGA) Field Trips

MineralsEd is partnering with the British Columbia Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (BCSSGA) to sponsor K-12 classroom field trips to aggregate mines throughout the province.

This program will help you bring the classroom to a local active mine site near your community to observe and learn about the local geology, the mining process, and engineering achievements. On your way to the mine site you can also visit reclaimed aggregate mine sites – you might be surprised to see what the reclaimed sites have to offer. 

The BCSSGA has a list and descriptions of possible aggregate mines to visit here. Choose your field trip destinations and complete the field trip subsidy form below to request a subsidy from MineralsEd. Subsidies will cover up to $100 of travel costs. COVID-19 safety regulations and protocols will vary by site.

More on Aggregates…

Aggregates include sand, gravel, and rocks. Mining these materials is important because:

  1. We depend on aggregate materials for construction materials (asphalt, concrete, glass, brick) for roads, buildings, homes, monuments, and art.
  2. Aggregate mining contributes to jobs and the economy. In 2020, there were over 1,000 aggregate mines and quarries operating in B.C. which contributed about $500 million to the economy (4.6% of total mineral production).1

Aggregate mining is a controlled operation and is temporary. Reclaimed sites can be transformed and repurposed for community parks and gardens. For example, Butchart Gardens, Lafarge Lake, Queen Elizabeth Park, Aldergrove Lake Regional Park, and Rotary Stadium.2

1 Exploration and Mining in British Columbia, 2020: A Summary by British Columbia Geological Survey: http://cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/PublicationCatalogue/InformationCircular/BCGS_IC2021-01-01.pdf

2 Reclaiming Extraction Sites webpage by British Columbia Stone, Sand and Gravel Association: https://gravelbc.ca/education/articles/reclaiming-extraction-sites/

BCSSGA Field Trip Subsidy Form 

This application must be received before you take your class trip or workshop. Funds will be disbursed first-come, first served. Only complete applications will be considered.

MineralsEd will send an email Confirmation if funding is available and the amount provided. You must contact MineralsEd after you have completed your field trip or workshop. A cheque for the amount of the subsidy will be mailed to your school. 

The BCSSGA has a list and descriptions of possible aggregate mines to visit here.

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