MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Prepared by:

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2004
• Subjects: First Nations
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.556.5799; http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/MineralStatistics/MineralSectors/ConstructionAggregates/ReportsandPublications/Documents/FINAL_REPORT_Coastal_Markets.pdf

The objective of this study is to provide an overview of the western North American coastal market for BC construction aggregates. This information may assist the provincial government in considering ways to support First Nations business partnerships and Coastal communities to better position themselves to capture a share of this expanding export market. Background Natural construction aggregates include sand and gravel and crushed stone or rock, which is used in its natural state or after mechanical processing, including crushing, washing and sizing. Aggregate is the chief raw material used in Portland cement concrete and asphalt, which are universally used for construction and road paving purposes. Most commercially produced aggregates are used in public works projects, thus any changes in costs maybe passed on to the public through higher costs of public service and higher taxes. An important characteristic of the industry is that it is very competitive (i.e. narrow margins), the dominant companies are often highly integrated with cement companies having subsidiaries in the both the ready-mix and aggregate business. Although, aggregates are relatively inexpensive at its source, the cost of transportation is often