All commercial aggregate production operations are managed under the responsibility of Unibéton Aggregates Group, a division of Ciment Quebec Inc. Aggregates come from one rock quarry and another five gravel pits located in various regions of Quebec. Two additional quarry operations are operated by Ciment Quebec Inc. and are fully dedicated to cement production.
On all operating sites, Unibeton Aggregates Group carries out aggregate crushing, grinding, washing and storing operations. The Group carries out quality control and sale of aggregate and prepared abrasives.
Operating Sites
The different deposits in our quarries and sand pits are well characterized. In our profession, we must understand and optimally use raw materials. Equipment used on our sites is modern, and our work, is performed with utmost respect for natural resource and human capital.
We professionally extract and transform the stone and sand to preserve the environment and quality of life. As a measure of quality, a large part of what we take from our sites is used to supply our own divisions for ready-mixed concrete: Unibeton, Beton Mercier and Beton Miroc.
Beauport Quarry
The stone taken from the Beauport Quarry is gray limestone that is part of the Neuville formation of the Trenton Group, deposited in horizontal beds. The quarry was originally on the hill surface, but today work is conducted at greater depths. The western wall is now 120 metres high.
The rock mass is then blasted, and the rough stone is transported to the crushers, which reduce its size to approximately 20mm.
The stone from this quarry is primarily used as aggregates in cement concrete, for road foundations and for asphaltic concrete.
The Beauport Quarry is the oldest quarry still in operation in North America. Historically, the stone was carved and used for buildings, and in lime production. Several heritage buildings in Quebec City are made of rock from this quarry, including the Seminary of Quebec and the Ursuline Monastery.
Saint-Elzéar-de-Témiscouata Gravel Pit
The gravel pit of Saint-Elzéar is composed of lithic gravel, mainly Ordovician sandstone and fine-grained quartzite. The original material reaches varying depths and is based on fine textured marine sediments. The main use of sand is the manufacture of concrete.
Saint-Épiphane Gravel Pit
The Saint-Épiphane Gravel Pit provides lithic gravel, made primarily of Ordovician sandstone and metamorphic schist. The original material is found at varying depths resting on fine-textured marine sediments. The sand and stone are mainly used as aggregates in cement concrete.
Saint-Raphaël Gravel Pit
The sand and stone coming from the Saint-Raphaël gravel pit are from immense gravel deposits in the Hautes-Terres du Saint-Laurent (Till – Glacial). Materials are largely made up of Ordovician sandstone and greywacke. The sand and stone are primarily used as aggregates in concrete and as an abrasive material.
Saint-Raymond-de-Portneuf Gravel Pit
The Saint-Raymond sandpit is located in the geologic province of Grenville. The sand deposits found on this site are the results of erosion and abrasion of the Grenville rocks. The coarse aggregates found there are made up of granite, granitic gneiss, and other crystalline rocks—minerals that make up the sand. The main use of the sand is for concrete production.
Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel Gravel Pit
The material from the Mont-Carmel sandpit is of glacial origin. It is part of the Saint-Narcisse glacial belt, and is a granitic sand. Original material is found at varying depths and rests on clay. This sand is mainly used for concrete production.
Saint-Onésime Gravel Pit
Saint-Onésime mainly offers lithic sandstone and quartzitic sandstone. Original material is found at varying depths and rests on fine-textured marine sediments. The sand is mainly used for concrete production.
