Ash Grove’s Ogden Point Quarry in Colborne celebrated it’s 65th anniversary with a open house on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
The event on Saturday gave the community a chance to look at the vast area of the facility and celebrate with a free lunch and of course a birthday cake and a chance to see the huge machines operated at the facility on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Quarry supervisor Chris McBride spoke to Today’s Northumberland about the quarry that has been opened since 1959.
The company hasn’t had an open house in six years.
“We jumped on the opportunity and we’re so happy to see everyone here.”
In 2024 the company is expected to mine two-million tonnes of limestone that will be used primarily for making cement.
The quarry averages approximately 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes per day. Once mined, the limestone is moved to a crusher than travels approximately two kilometres to a ship which takes 18,000 tonnes of the limestone to the cement plant in Mississauga.
From there it gets crushed and materialized into cement powder.
Visitors on Saturday were able to board a bus and travel down to the third level in the quarry which is approximately 150 feet below lake level.
Eventually the quarry will be mined to five levels which will be approximately 120 feet more.
The staggering statistic, it’s estimated that there is more than 85-years worth of limestone onsite to be mined.
With the property taking up just shy of 800 acres there are only 17 unionized workers along with three management. The operation works two continental shifts, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week during crushing season.
During the winter months the quarry is shut down for winter maintenance.
McBride said when the blast the limestone from the walls it’s a “unique process.”
“It’s not just blasting it off the wall and pulverising it.”
“It’s methodically thought out. We essentially kick the bottom out and the top will fall underneath.”
“We’re just popping it off the wall and laying it down so we can easily dig it and take it up to our crusher.”
A number of people asked questions along the bus ride including if water from Lake Ontario ever seeps into the quarry.
“We don’t have any water from the lake that seeps in we just have a certain amount of ground water that’s all taken into account and collects in our different ponds and is pumped back out into the lake after being tested.”
McBride said the region is rich with limestone with other quarry’s in Bowmanville and Picton.
The weather was perfect for an open house and birthday celebration McBride said his days are usually pretty busy so Saturday was a great chance to slow down and show people, “what I enjoy doing everyday.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
