Lazy Head, near Canso, Nova Scotia
Granite quarry and marine terminal
U.S. East Coast Construction & Offshore Wind Industry
Approximately 85-year Operating Life
In Environmental & Regulatory Review
About
The Project
A Granite Quarry & Marine Terminal in Chedabucto Bay
The Project is being proposed by Carver Companies, a private, family-run, well-capitalized company that owns and operates multiple port terminals along the US East Coast, and has relevant Canadian aggregate operating experience as owner and operator of the Bayside Aggregate Quarry in New Brunswick. Morien Resources Corp., a publicly traded (TSX-V: MOX) mining company headquartered in Halifax, NS, originated the Project and acts as Agent of Carver in the planning, engagement, and permitting of the Project.
The Project consists of a granite quarry and an adjacent marine terminal in Chedabucto Bay. Granite produced at the quarry will be shipped by marine transport to support the U.S. East Coast construction market and eastern North American offshore wind energy installations.
Site access is via Route 16 (Marine Drive), the region’s main provincial highway, with local access from Fox Island Main Road. The Project is located 5.5 km west of Canso, 3.5 km northwest of Hazel Hill, and 2.5 km northeast of Fox Island Main.
Benefits
Project Benefits
A Long-Term Part of the Community
The Lazy Head Project is designed to deliver lasting economic and community benefits to the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and surrounding communities throughout its operating life.
- Up to five different Rightsholder, stakeholder, and community funds that will deliver hundreds of thousands in direct financial support, every year for the operating life of the quarry — approximately 85 years. The funding flows through two dedicated funds: a Community Development Fund ($340,000/year at full production) supporting community improvement initiatives, and a Community Wellness Fund ($170,000/year at full production) supporting recreation, wellness, and local groups across MODG.
- Approximately 75 direct, full-time jobs at the Project, with local hiring preference. The Project’s administrative centre and operating offices will be located within MODG, and all permanent employee training will take place locally.
- Annual bursaries for graduating MODG high school students, and co-op placements during construction and operations.
Full details are available on the Community page.
Logistics
Why Marine Transportation
Reducing Traffic Through Your Communities
Aggregate is a high-volume, low-margin business. Transportation costs make up a significant share of the delivered price, which means a quarry only makes economic sense when its product can move efficiently to market.
For Lazy Head, that means shipping by sea — direct from the marine terminal to U.S. East Coast ports and to offshore wind installations along the eastern seaboard.
Marine transport at this scale eliminates the alternative of truck or rail haulage that would otherwise move millions of tonnes of aggregate over land each year. That keeps heavy traffic off Route 16 and out of residential communities, supports lower-cost and lower GHG delivery of construction materials to growing markets, making the Project economically viable in a way a land-based aggregate operation in this location simply would not be.
Status
Current Timeline
Planning & Regulatory Review
The Project is in the planning and regulatory review stage. Studies are underway and the Project team is preparing both:
- A provincial Environmental Assessment Registration Document for the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, and
- A federal Initial Project Description for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
No construction can begin until all required approvals and permits are in place.
Partners
About Carver and Morien
A Partnership Between Morien Resources Corp. & Carver Companies, LLC
The Lazy Head Project is being developed in partnership between Morien Resources Corp. and Carver Companies, LLC.
The proponent for the Project is Carver Companies, a privately held aggregate development company headquartered in Albany, New York. Carver will carry out the Project directly or through its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary. Carver is well-capitalized, owns and operates multiple port terminals along the United States (U.S.) East Coast, and has relevant Canadian aggregate operating experience as owner and operator of the Bayside Aggregate Quarry in New Brunswick.
Morien Resources Corp. is a publicly traded (TSX-V: MOX) mining company established in 2012 and headquartered in Halifax, NS. Morien originated the Project and acts as Agent of Carver in the planning, engagement, and permitting of the Project. Morien’s role is to support the Proponent in advancing the Project. Regulatory obligations under this Initial Project Description, and any subsequent permits, authorizations, and conditions of decision, are obligations of the Proponent.
Morien’s role does not end at the transfer to Carver — the company will retain a royalty interest and remain on the Community Liaison Committee throughout the operating life of the Project.