In 2006, 8,000 acres of land was purchased by Highland Companies to start a large co-operative potato farm. In 2009, Highland Companies, announced a proposal for a quarry that would stretch over 2,300 acres in Melancthon Township, 110 km northeast of Toronto. The quarry would be deeper than Niagara Falls, and 600 million litres of water would be pumped out of the quarry every day. Thousands of 40-tonne trucks would travel on local roads, 24 hours a day.

Local citizens are worried about the potentially devastating effects on the local community and environment.

The mega-quarry proposal currently sits with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aggregates Resources, the Ontario government department responsible for ensuring sustainable extraction of sand, gravel, and stone in the province.

Ontario Minister of the Environment John Wilkinson ordered Highland Companies to undertake a comprehensive environmental assessment of the quarry proposal on September 1, 2011.

A joint panel review by Ontario and Canada to assess environmental effects of the quarry application is being requested.