Town’s play a crucial role in the regulation of quarries within their municipal boundaries, including the application process and the enforcement of the operations and closure and final rehabilitation.

Quarry Application Process:

• All quarry applications are referred to the Department Municipal and Community Affairs.
  • Municipal and Community Affairs will advise the Quarries Section if the proposed area falls within a Municipality or a Local Service District and if municipal zoning regulations allow quarry development in the proposed area (e.g., permitted or discretionary use).
• All quarry applications located within a municipal boundary or municipal planning area are referred to the Town for input.
• Municipal zoning and development regulations will specify areas where quarrying may be permitted and require the issuance of a development permit from the Town.
• A development permit provides an avenue for the municipality to stipulate specific terms and conditions for the operator (e.g., hours of operation, requirements for blasting, etc.).
• Towns cannot collect royalties on quarry materials.
• Towns may require a development permit application fee that allows an opportunity for the municipality to offset the administrative burden of reviewing the application and generates revenue for the Town.
• For any towns with planning authority, a quarry permit will not be issued until a development permit has been received from the Town.
• A development permit issued by a Town must include, at a minimum, the following information:
  • Name of the applicant,
  • date of issuance,
  • date of expiry (recommend maximum of 12 months as this aligns with the maximum duration of a quarry permit),
  • general location of the quarry,
  • quarry file number (7-digit number). If you do not know the file number, contact the quarries division at Quarries@gov.nl.ca,
  • signed by a town official.

Regulation and Enforcement of Quarry Operations:

• The Department’s Quarry Inspectors inspect quarries across the province, including those within municipal boundaries. They work with municipal staff to keep them informed about the compliance status of quarry operations in their community.
• Municipalities may inspect quarries within their boundaries and issue Stop Work Orders under their Development Regulations if an operation does not meet the requirements of its development permit.
• Municipal staff can report concerns about quarry operations to a Quarry Inspector for review and follow-up.
• Municipal staff and officials can request inspection reports for quarries located within their municipality.
• Municipal staff can also request meetings or site visits with Quarry Compliance Officers to discuss concerns or issues. For more information, visit the Quarry Compliance and Enforcement Section page.

Land Use Planning for Quarries in a Town:

• It is important that municipalities plan sufficient space within their planning areas where a mineral working (quarry) is a permitted or a discretionary use. And that zoning and land use plans are up to date.
• Any land use planning questions relating to quarries can be directed to the department’s Land Use Team by email: minesbranchreferrals@gov.nl.ca