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Sarnia adopts winter maintenance and salt management plans | The Sarnia Observer

Sarnia’s winter maintenance season has begun, and with it the city has written plans for balancing road safety with keeping salt use in check.

Recommended by Environment Canada for municipalities using more than 500 metric tonnes of salt annually, the city’s new salt management and winter operation plans detail how crews monitor the weather, patrol roads, and clear slippery conditions when needed.

“It’s really putting down on paper what we’re already doing, but this is the first time we’ve put together plans like this,” said city engineering and operations general manager David Jackson.

According to the plans, approved by council this week, Sarnia maintains more than 900 kilometres of roadways along 11 routes, and 168 kilometres of sidewalks, using a combination of local staff and contracted services.

Minimum standards for snow clearance on highways range from four to 24 hours, depending on how well used roadways are, and their speed limits.

Salt and sand-salt mixes are applied between 70 and 160 kilograms per kilometre, depending on snowfall, the plans say.

And the city monitors ground water, catch basin outlets and other areas, while keeping in touch with local water agencies, to monitor the impact of salt use, the plans say.

“We are exploring groundwater monitoring but do not have a program in place for that yet,” Jackson said.

Winters lately have been milder, meaning less salt, Jackson said.

Sarnia salting and plowing routes, via a city winter operations plan. (Screenshot) jpg, SO, apsmc

About $1.1 million is budgeted for winter maintenance in the city’s 2025 draft budget.

“Always hard to predict,” Jackson said.

“One large winter storm can come up and then we’d be right back on track for what the budget was.”

Switching to mostly pre-treated salt has also reduced salt use, saving Sarnia money and mitigating environmental impact, Jackson said.

“Generally that treated salt will stick to the road a bit better and it leaves a residual on the road, which helps start the melting cycle the next time,” he said.

The city’s winter maintenance season is flexible, but generally runs Nov. 15 to April 15, the plans say.

Sarnia uses about 2,100 tonnes of the pre-treated salt on average per winter maintenance season, based on the last five, Jackson said.

Last winter maintenance season, 2,265 tonnes were used, he said.

“It is the best product to help keep the roads clear in the winter, so we do have to use it,” Jackson said.

The reason for the plans is “to analyze the whole process and to minimize the use as much as possible,” he said.

The plans will be reviewed annually, city officials said in a report, noting changes may include route updates or technological upgrades as needed.

How Cities Are Adopting Eco-Friendly De-icing Strategies to Combat Winter Weather

Winter weather presents significant challenges for cities across the globe, particularly when it comes to keeping roads safe. Traditional de-icing methods, which often rely on harmful chemicals, have raised concerns about their impact on the environment. As cities continue to grapple with these issues, many are turning to innovative and eco-friendly de-icing strategies that provide effective solutions while protecting local ecosystems.

This article explores the environmental repercussions of conventional de-icing materials and examines how cities are adopting sustainable alternatives. By implementing greener practices such as biodegradable de-icing agents and advanced application technologies, urban areas can enhance public safety without compromising environmental integrity. Join us as we delve into the current trends in eco-friendly de-icing and the positive effects they have on both communities and the planet.

The Environmental Impact of Conventional De-icing

For many years, cities have depended on a limited number of established de-icing salts to melt ice on roadways. These salts do not simply disappear after application; instead, as they dissolve, they often wash into nearby rivers and lakes. This runoff adversely affects the quality of water, particularly drinking water, and the use of traditional de-icers can even pose a threat to aquatic life. Long-term use of these conventional de-icing materials also leads to detrimental effects on plants, soil, and infrastructure.

Eco-Friendly De-icing Solutions: A Growing Trend

To minimize these negative effects, cities are increasingly adopting green alternatives. These eco-friendly options include biodegradable de-icing chemicals that are less harmful to the environment. Notably, calcium magnesium acetate and beet juice blends have emerged as effective de-icing solutions.

Limestone and acetic acid are the sources of calcium magnesium acetate. This chemical serves as a highly effective ice melter while posing minimal risk to the environment. Similarly, beet juice is often combined with salt to enhance ice melting at lower temperatures. This combination reduces the overall quantity of salt required, thereby diminishing potential environmental impacts.

(Credit: Intelligent Living)

How Cities Implement Sustainable De-icing Practices

Cities in Canada have implemented a mixture of beet juice and salt on their roads to prevent ice bonding. This proactive approach enhances safety on roadways following snowstorms and reduces the overall quantity of de-icer needed later. As a result, the use of salt has generally decreased.

In Minneapolis, city officials have blended sand with de-icer on the roads while also utilizing some green de-icing products. The sand provides traction, while the de-icer prevents ice from forming a bond. This dual approach effectively enhances road safety. Several cities have opted for de-icing solutions produced by reputable companies, such as ICL Industrial Products.

Many urban areas are also transitioning to liquid de-icer mixes. Pre-wet salt solutions are particularly beneficial, as they minimize salt bounce and improve adhesion to the road surface. Sticky salt mixes are advantageous because they remain in place, avoiding runoff onto lawns and trees.

The Role of Technology in Green De-icing

Technology has also made significant advances in urban de-icing practices. Green de-icing strategies guarantee the application of only the necessary amount of material to frozen roads. This precise application reduces waste and optimizes the use of available resources. In Chicago, for instance, city officials have equipped salt trucks with GPS units. These devices facilitate precise measurements, guaranteeing the appropriate application of salt where necessary.

The Cost-Benefit Balance for Cities

Many cities struggle to afford eco-friendly de-icing alternatives due to cost considerations. However, implementing green de-icing solutions results in reduced pollution and decreased infrastructure corrosion.  Although these methods can be expensive initially, they often lead to long-term savings. Public support for these initiatives remains strong, as communities appreciate efforts to protect and enhance their local ecosystems.

(Credit: Intelligent Living)

The Future of Sustainable Deciding Solutions

As cities confront the realities of climate change and environmental degradation, the necessity for sustainable de-icing practices has never been more apparent. Traditional de-icing chemicals have detrimental effects on water quality, soil health, and local wildlife. In response, many urban areas are embracing eco-friendly alternatives that significantly reduce negative environmental impacts. Biodegradable agents, such as calcium magnesium acetate and beet juice blends, demonstrate effective and safe ice-melting capabilities that contribute to safer winter road conditions.

Technological advancements enable precise applications of de-icing materials. This accuracy minimizes waste and enhances the overall effectiveness of de-icing efforts. Fostering community support and conducting ongoing research into environmentally conscious methods allows cities to balance public safety with ecological responsibility.

The shift toward sustainable winter maintenance practices reflects a growing awareness of environmental stewardship. It also demonstrates a commitment to preserving natural resources for future generations. As these innovative methods gain traction, there is optimism that more communities will adopt green de-icing solutions. This progress paves the way for a healthier planet and safer cities during the winter months.

Surrey gears up for winter with 17,000 tonnes of salt, 77 snow-clearing vehicles - Indo-Canadian Voice

AS winter approaches, the City of Surrey says it is taking proactive measures to ensure effective snow and ice management during the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season. The City is well-prepared with an allocated budget of $4.61 million, 17,000 tonnes of salt, and a fleet of 77 specialized snow-clearing vehicles.

In contrast to some municipalities in the region, the City has not experienced a shortage of road salt since increasing its storage capacity in 2010. This large storage capacity safeguards the City against intermittent harsh winters.

“The safety of our residents is our top priority as we head into winter,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke on Monday. “With our robust resources and strategies in place, we are well-equipped to maintain safe and accessible roads for everyone in our community. I commend our incredible snow removal crew for their dedication to keeping our priority routes clear during snow and ice events this season.”

The City’s Snow and Ice Control Policy focuses on the timely clearing of 4,000 lane kilometers of priority roads, including arterial roads, steep hills, and routes near schools and care centers.

Snow-clearing crews also operate 16 brine units, mounted on city trucks, to apply a brine solution to major routes before forecasted snow or ice. This treatment dries on the surface, allowing the residual salt to activate when snow begins to fall or frost forms, effectively reducing snow and ice accumulation. Using brine gives crews an increased window of time to mobilize regular snow and ice services and provide enhanced coverage when heavier snow events occur.

With predictions of La Nina conditions potentially bringing increased precipitation this winter, the City says it is well-equipped to tackle adverse weather. City staff are actively coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and TransLink to ensure effective maintenance of provincial highways and major transit routes.

More information about the City of Surrey’s snow removal and ice control plan is available at: surrey.ca/snow.

Timmins news: Residents discouraged from using salt on their properties | CTV News

Members of the Mattagami Region Source Protection Committee hosted an information session Wednesday at the Timmins Square shopping mall.

They want people to reconsider using salt on their properties. They said salt is harmful to the environment – even pet-friendly salt – and encourage the use of sand or a mixture of sand and salt.

The Mattagami Region Source Protection Committee met with shoppers at the Timmins Square to inform them about the hazards of using salt on their driveways and sidewalks during the winter months. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

"We are giving away a 12-ounce cup that you can use at home, and that's the amount of salt that you should actually use that's on your property that won't affect the environment but is still safe to use," said Crystal Percival, source protection committee lead at the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority.

Percival said fortunately, the use of salt has yet to show a major impact in the Timmins area, but new provincial rules are coming.

"We're just trying to take a proactive approach just to educate the community because there will be changes coming down the pipeline, so to speak, in the next few years with regards to salt application," she said.

"It includes a lot of residential areas."

The City of Timmins uses salt for winter road maintenance, but its environmental coordinator said crews follow a salt management plan.

"We work very closely to ensure that salt is applied in the right place, at the right time and so, you know, we're all doing our part," said Christina Beaton.

"We're here to try and educate residents and businesses, you know, not only just in the source protection areas but also just across the community, because it is it is better for our environment."

One local resident stopped by the booth to pick up a cup and thanked the group for providing public education.

"I did realize it because I studied it in water for three years," said Genvieve Brouzes.

"I'm happy to see that people are announcing it to others and making other people aware. I typically use sand, but sometimes we'll use salt, maybe a mixture of both. But we try not to use anything that will leach into our waterways."

Officials asked people to also remember that rock salt is less effective in temperatures colder than -12 C and sand works better.

They also recommend you shovel snow as soon as possible to prevent ice buildup.

Salt: Inside the big business of battling winter’s icy bite | Financial Post

Patrick Laracy was confident that winter was still several weeks away, despite overnight temperatures at his home in St. John’s, Nfld., dipping into minus territory in early November. He figured it would be closer to Christmas, quite possibly the New Year, before it snowed.

This is likely contrary to outsiders’ perceptions of a province buried in mountainous drifts from October to May, which he said are to be blamed on the CBC and the Canadian appetite for stories of wild winter storms. But the story in St. John’s wasn’t wild in the least, at least not yet.

“The weather here is fantastic,” Laracy said. “Most Christmases in St. John’s are green.”

That’s not to say the 64-year-old career geologist, mining industry entrepreneur and occasional lawyer does not love a good walloping winter. Snow, ice, periods of freezing followed by sudden thaws, more freezing, more snow and slippery roads, as well as the legions of snowplows, especially salting trucks, combating winter’s treacherous bite are at the core of the international road salt business he hopes to build in St. George’s.

St. George’s is a small town of 1,200 that used to be a small town of 2,200. It has been getting smaller by the year as the population ages and the young people leave and don’t come back. There is a gas station and a couple of stores, but not much else to speak of in terms of job opportunities.

But it is what is below ground that has folks buzzing about the future lately — and not in funereal terms. The town, with its deepwater port, sits atop a vast, homogenous, high-grade, billion-tonne salt deposit. Laracy discovered it when he was drilling for oil and gas in the area several years ago, and he hopes he can become a Canadian player in a US$4-billion industry dominated by companies in the United States.

At the time of the discovery, he wasn’t thinking about salt beyond adding a pinch here and there to his meals. But the company he founded, Atlas Salt Inc., has plans to dig out the “great Atlantic salt deposit” and has already navigated several environmental regulatory hoops on the road to what Laracy hopes will be a new, state-of-the-art, $480-million road salt mine.

If built, it would be the first new salt mine in North America in almost 30 years. The company’s target market isn’t salt shakers, but major cities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the eastern seaboard of the United States, such as Boston, which imports the bulk of road salt sprayed upon its streets from Chile by way of the Panama Canal.

Financial Post

“We are not looking at table salt; the big market is road deicing salt,” Laracy said. “The reason we believe it is all doable is the fact that there is a domestic shortfall for road deicing salt in North America, and that the annual deficit, depending on the severity of the winter, can be between seven and 11 million tonnes a year. That deficit is being supplied by international sources, such as Chile, Mexico, Egypt and North Africa. What that means is we have a competitive advantage that never goes away: location.”

No matter where one hangs their hat, road salt as a commodity doesn’t generate the same degree of market hype as, say, a new gold strike, lithium find or massive reservoir of oil just waiting to be tapped. Indeed, Joel Jackson, a managing director of equity research at BMO Capital Markets who has been covering the industry for 15 years, described salt as a remarkably “boring business,” albeit with some fascinating aspects.

For example, Saskatchewan is famous for its potash mines, but it also has unlimited salt reserves. Every tonne of potash that gets pulled from the earth produces several tonnes of salt tailings. That salt, Jackson said, sits on the Prairies gathering proverbial dust, providing the Toronto-based analyst with a good example of a truism of the North American road salt industry: In order to make a buck as a road salt producer, your mine needs to be close to the market.

“When you are talking about road salt, this is not a high-value product because it is a regional market, and this is important because freight costs matter,” Jackson said. “What that means is to be profitable, you can only really ship the salt so far without taking a loss.”

Of the three big North American players, only Kansas-based Compass Minerals Inc. (CMP) is a publicly traded company. CMP operates the world’s largest underground salt mine, which is located beneath Lake Huron, next to Goderich, Ont., and it is as deep as the CN Tower is tall.

The mine produces about six million tonnes of salt per year, and the company ships it to communities around the Great Lakes region, including Toronto, and up into the St. Lawrence Seaway. CMP sold about US$900-million worth of road salt in 2023 at an average price of US$68 a ton, but none of its sales were bound for the American East Coast. Its rivals for road salt market share are a couple of American private-equity players: Cargill Inc. in Minnesota and Morton Salt Inc. in Chicago.

Another truism of the road salt industry, Jackson said, is that no matter how boring it is, it is still a “good” business, hence the interest private equity shows in it.

Winters may vary in severity, but bulk road salt buyers — that is, cities, states, counties and provinces — are a constant, so there is always someone shopping for road salt. Even after a mild winter, government customers begin tendering contracts for the next one because you never know when the snow is going to fall, as it did in British Columbia on the first weekend in November.

An old salty tale

A lone salt truck makes its way south on Highway 400 near Toronto. Photo by Postmedia

Salting road surfaces dates back to the 1940s, when an explosion of road networks, suburbs and vehicles slipping every which way on wintery days became a problem in need of a remedy. It turned out that sodium chloride was, and remains, the ideal fix.

Nature loves disorder, Yolanda Hedberg, a chemistry professor at Western University in London, Ont., said, and sprinkling salt onto a snow-dusted and rapidly icing street stirs up molecular chaos, lowering the freezing point of water, thus “deicing” the road. Road salt can work its magic to about minus 21 C. Any colder and you best call in the sand trucks, not to melt the ice, but to provide some traction for tires.

Hedberg is originally from southern Germany, but she moved to Stockholm to study and became involved in her neighbourhood “technical” committee, which was tasked with looking at the best means of keeping roads clear during winter.

The Swedish approach was to use “sweeper” trucks to vigorously dust away as much snow as possible before dousing the roads with a low-concentration salt-brine solution. The goal: use the minimum amount of salt to keep drivers safe.

As a result, Hedberg was aghast when she moved to southwestern Ontario four years ago.

“They use tons of road salt in North America,” she said. “You basically walk on a layer of salt; for a European, this seemed crazy.”

A worker grooms a pile of road salt in Chicago. North American cities use much more salt on their roads than European cities. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

It was also inspirational. The chemist is conducting a multi-year road salt study in London that looks at sodium chloride and alternative road salts such as sodium acetate, as well as some sugar-added, pet-friendly salts, to determine which is most effective at melting snow and increasing vehicle traction, but least noxious to soil and the metals on bikes, cars and infrastructure, such as bridges.

What has been most surprising to learn so far, Hedberg said, is that the alternatives to sodium chloride are just as bad as sodium chloride — good old road salt. For example, sodium acetate has proved even more destructive than salt at seeping through concrete and corroding the steel that forms the skeleton of bridges.

“Salt is doing terrible damage to our infrastructure,” she said. “And if you look at other alternatives, such as sand, it induces a lot of wear because it basically pulverizes the asphalt due to friction.”

In short, salt is here to stay, and her recommendation to cities that rely upon it is to try to “use less.”

Reducing road salt consumption has been one of the things on Vincent Sferrazza’s mind lately. The City of Toronto’s director of transportation and operations is the guy in charge of keeping the city’s roads clear from November to April. He spends every day, even in the thick of summer, thinking about the next winter, an obsession he describes as a “healthy” anxiety.

“We never stop planning for winter,” he said.

Toronto gets between 130 centimetres and 140 centimetres of snow in a typical winter and sprinkles about 125,000 tonnes of salt, worth about $20 million to $25 million, on its road networks to deal with it. (Toronto’s salt, no surprise, is supplied by the industry’s three main players.)

Salt truck sprayers are programmed to dispense a set amount of salt per kilometre per road type, meaning your quiet side street is not getting salted to the same extent as a major expressway, which gobbles up 180 kilograms of road salt per kilometre per lane.

One of Sferrazza’s pilot projects this winter is to equip a handful of salting trucks with artificial intelligence sensors that will allow the salter to react to road conditions in real time by measuring the warmth of the road surface, the presence of ice, the degree of friction between tires and asphalt, the relative humidity and the air temperature. Crunch all that information and it could be that a road needs less salt in a given moment than the established settings, and vice versa.

“This could be a real game changer when it comes to the appropriate application of salt,” he said.

A snow plow and salter in Windsor, Ont. in January. Winter’s increasing unpredictability will likely increase the use of road salt. Photo by Postmedia

Why use 180 kilograms when 120 will do? It is a key point given winter’s increasing unpredictability, and the preponderance of mid-January thaws in places such as Ottawa that didn’t used to thaw out until spring. A thaw followed by a renewed blast of winter weather sends the salt trucks back onto the streets, and the more the cycle repeats, the more salt gets dispensed.

Hedberg is not an analyst, economist or weather forecaster, but her prediction is that as winters become more erratic, road salt use is going to “increase,” no matter anyone’s best intentions to cut back.

Work, bread, water and salt for all

Greater demand for road salt might not be great for bridges, but it registers as good news to Conrad White. He is the Mayor of St. George’s, Nfld., and his life story could be a stand-in for thousands of others like him in the region.

His story goes like this: Once upon a time, he was young and his high school was brimming with 800 students. Upon graduation, he had a choice to stay at home, scuff around for work, and hopefully get enough hours to claim unemployment insurance when the work dried up, or move to Ontario or Alberta to find a full-time job.

Right now, there is nothing here to keep the kids home. The salt mine would have a huge economic impact

Conrad White, mayor of St. George’s, Nfld.

That’s how White wound up working at a glass factory in Ontario for 30 years and then for a union before he moved home to retire. Ontario provided him with a living, but there was not much in the way of community life in the Toronto suburbs. He knew his immediate neighbours, but that is about it.

Back home, he knows everybody, and it is that sense of community he wants to keep in place for coming generations, and the only way to do that is to give them an opportunity to stay home and work, something Atlas Salt’s mine could help achieve.

“Right now, there is nothing here to keep the kids home,” he said. “The salt mine would have a huge economic impact.”

Being a Newfoundlander, the mayor is accustomed to hearing rural revival stories that don’t pan out. But the mine’s proponents are actively building a road to the site, he said, and the community is almost unanimously in favour of the project.

“We’ll just have to wait to see how she goes,” he said.

Patrick Laracy has been waiting for his moment for decades, having been in “the game” for 41 years. Exploration geologists tend to view themselves as “treasure hunters,” and every treasure hunter hopes that they will discover something that grows up to be a working mine, which is something that almost never happens.

The mine in his imagination was originally going to be copper, or gold, or perhaps a major oil strike, but then along came a billion-tonne salt deposit. As sure as winter, its arrival got him thinking of a new career horizon, one stretched out along an icy road in need of salt.

“It is not like we are chasing a vein of gold that is a foot wide and disappears,” Laracy said. “We know the salt is there, and we know we have got a lot of it — a billion tonnes — it is high grade, and there is a market for it on the East Coast.”

From De-icing to Dining, Salt's Enduring Role in the Economy

The global salt industry traces its origins back thousands of years, making it one of humanity's oldest economic activities. Today, the salt industry continues to thrive on high demand, catering to essential sectors with its wide range of applications. From seasoning our meals to keeping our roads safe during winter, salt's role is multifaceted. A closer look at the end market demand for salt unveils the sectors driving its consumption.

Leading the Way: De-icing Demand

The de-icing sector is the largest salt consumer, accounting for a substantial 41%1 of the market. This segment's significant share highlights its vital role in ensuring transportation safety in cold climates. Every winter, large amounts of de-icing salt are applied to roads, highways, sidewalks, and parking lots to melt ice. This practice is essential for public safety, as it significantly reduces traffic collisions by up to 88%2 during icy conditions, ensuring safer travel for everyone. Salt-based de-icers keep daily life moving smoothly during the winter by preventing ice from forming on the surfaces it covers. Moreover, road conditions contribute to over 544 million vehicle hours of delay annually2, emphasizing the importance of effective winter road management.

The Chemical Sector's Strong Appetite

The chemical industry follows closely, representing 38% of salt consumption. Salt serves as a foundational raw material in producing various chemicals, including chlorine and caustic soda. These chemicals, in turn, play vital roles in manufacturing processes across industries, from water treatment to the production of PVC.

Distributors’ Role in Salt Consumption

Distributors facilitate the movement of salt from producers to end consumers across different industries. They act as intermediaries, handling salt logistics from producers to final end users across industries. For example, a distributor might supply salt to a food manufacturer, a municipality for road de-icing, and an agricultural supplier. So, they facilitate the movement without directly consuming the product. However, they do purchase it to subsequently sell it to end users. For instance, Univar Solutions3 may buy salt from Cargill to sell on to various businesses, including local retailers, industrial users, and municipalities. Distributors make up 10% of salt consumption.

Salt in Food: A Taste of Tradition

The food industry, with a 4% share, underscores salt's timeless role in culinary arts. Beyond flavoring, salt acts as a preservative, extending the shelf life of numerous food products. This segment's steady demand reflects salt's indispensable place in kitchens around the world.

Salt’s Agricultural Applications

Agriculture accounts for 3% of the salt market. That’s because salt is an essential mineral for livestock health. Adding it to animal feed helps improve digestion, metabolism, and the overall well-being of animals like cattle, sheep, and horses. Salt is also sometimes added to silage (fermented feed) to prevent spoilage. It helps reduce mold growth and bacterial contamination, ensuring the feed remains nutritious and safe for animals. Additionally, salt is sometimes applied to manage specific soil conditions, to improve soil structure, or to naturally control weeds. However, salt application is carefully managed, as excessive salt can harm crops.

Niche Yet Vital: General Industrial Consumption

The general industrial sector accounts for 2% of total salt consumption and includes diverse applications outside of chemical, food, and agricultural uses. Industries in this category use salt in manufacturing processes, metal processing, oil refining, and textile dyeing. For instance, in metal processing, salt is used for deoxidation and to create a controlled atmosphere for heat treatment. In oil refining, salt aids in removing impurities from crude oil, enhancing the refining process. Textile manufacturers use salt to fix dyes to fabrics and improve color consistency.

Specific companies that might utilize salt in these capacities include Akron Steel Treating Company4 for metal treatment processes, Chevron Corp (NYSE: CVX) in oil refining, and Gildan Activewear Inc (NYSE: GIL) in textile dyeing. Although salt use in these applications is smaller in scale than de-icing or chemical feedstock, it remains essential for certain manufacturing functions.

Water Treatment: A Clear Need

With a 1% market share, the water treatment sector relies on salt to soften hard water and in purification processes. This essential use case underscores salt's role in ensuring access to clean water, a critical resource for homes and industries alike.

The 'Other' Spectrum

Lastly, the 'other' category, making up 1% of the market, captures salt's use in numerous lesser-known applications, from specialized manufacturing to environmental control. This segment reflects the ongoing innovation in salt usage, expanding its relevance across new industries.

The Versatility of Salt

The salt industry's reach into multiple sectors illustrates its foundational importance in our daily lives and the economy. From keeping our roads safe and our food flavorful to playing a critical role in chemical production and water treatment, salt's versatility ensures it remains a staple in various industries.

Yet, salt is a commodity that tends to be overlooked by investors. It doesn’t sport the headline-grabbing importance attached to commodities like copper and lithium and doesn’t have the consumer appeal of coffee and cocoa. So, salt remains an omnipresent but understated player in the global market.

Despite its modest visibility on the investment stage, salt's significance in industrial processes and steady demand across various sectors make it a staple commodity with a level of market stability attractive to those with an eye for long-term investments.

Moreover, salt's adaptability to climate-driven demand, especially in de-icing, showcases its role in public safety and infrastructure maintenance. This need is particularly pronounced in regions experiencing severe winters, where salt's application ensures functional transportation networks, highlighting a seasonal yet predictable spike in demand.

The overlooked nature of salt as an investment opportunity might stem from its widespread availability and perceived low cost. Yet, salt's economic dynamics, such as production costs, the geographical distribution of major mines, and supply chain logistics, reveal nuanced investment opportunities. Regions with significant reserves or advanced technologies can offer competitive advantages, making companies in these areas attractive investment targets.

For investors seeking a potentially stable investment in the commodity markets, salt may prove appealing.

Invest in Salt: Discovering Hidden Market Opportunities

Atlas Salt Inc. (TSXV: SALT) (OTCQB: REMRF) is bringing North American investors a unique opportunity to invest in a defensive mining stock. The Great Atlantic Salt Project is the first new underground salt mine in North America in over 20 years, strategically located near key markets with excellent infrastructure including roads, a deep-water port, and access to high-voltage power. This reduces transportation costs and positions Great Atlantic as a low-cost, long-life producer of salt.

Furthermore, competing mines have aging assets, and international suppliers can be displaced on distance and carbon emissions, with Great Atlantic expected to be one of the world’s lowest greenhouse gas mining projects.

De-icing road salt is the biggest single individual market for salt in North America, and Atlas’ Great Atlantic Salt Project is situated right where it’s needed most. Salt is a non-cyclical commodity and a truly defensive investment. Best of all, an efficient salt mine drives incredible long-term free cash flow.

A comprehensive feasibility study, greenhouse gas emissions survey, and both environmental and economic assessments have confirmed the viability of the Great Atlantic Salt Project. With these milestones achieved, pre-construction development is now actively progressing.

Intrigued by this defensive growth stock? Amid the cyclicality of the mining sector, Atlas Salt stands out.

Explore the Atlas Salt Opportunity

Sources

1. U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, January 2024.  https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-salt.pdf 

2. Highways Agency. Road Salt Primer, 2015. https://www.highways.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/road-salt-primer-final.pdf

3. Univar Solutions. Cargill, 2023. https://www.univarsolutions.com/suppliers/cargill

4. https://www.akronsteeltreating.com/blog/2022/07/21/benefits-of-salt-heat-treatment

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Moncton plans to clear snow from more sidewalks around schools

Moncton councillors have approved a new sidewalk snow clearing plan to boost clearing around schools and transit stops. 

Don Morehouse, the city's director of public works, told reporters Monday evening that the changes focus on increasing efforts around kindergarten to Grade 8 schools. 

Morehouse said the city is aiming to clear all sidewalks within half a kilometre of those schools. In the past, the city may have only cleared a sidewalk on one side of the street. 

The city also will clear sidewalks adjacent to all transit stops.

"Transit is becoming a highly used service in the city and we want to make sure it's supported in the winter time," Morehouse said.

The city has 488 kilometres of sidewalks, with 305 cleared in the winter. The changes mean 16 more kilometres will be cleared this winter.

The changes came after several councillors voiced concerns about young children walking on the street because sidewalks weren't cleared. 

"I really appreciate seeing this happen," Coun. Paul Richard, who advocated for the change, said during Monday's council meeting. 

A Codiac Transpo bus drives down Highfield Street in Moncton. Morehouse says the issue of clearing sidewalks will be an important topic when council considers the municipal budget this fall. (Shane Magee/CBC)

Morehouse said further changes may be discussed at the city's 2025 budget deliberations, expected to take place later this month.

The unanimous vote followed a discussion at a committee meeting last week. A staff presentation at that Oct. 28 meeting outlined several options and their costs, accounting for equipment and staff:

• Clearing 65 per cent next year would increase city spending by $657,000.
• Clearing 73 per cent next year under an ambitious plan would cost $1.4 million. 

Morehouse said the issue will be an important topic when council considers the municipal budget this fall.

"The city is growing," he said. "We are seeing a lot of of more people using the sidewalks. And so we've got to make sure they're properly constructed, maintained and looked after."

GTA watersheds cited as under threat by Highway 413 | Canada's National Observer: Climate News

A new report warns of severe habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, water contamination and other serious impacts if the Ford government's proposed Highway 413 proceeds across three key watersheds.

Released by advocacy group Environmental Defence, the report is based on research from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), and underscores the importance of the Humber River, Etobicoke Creek and Credit River for sustaining optimal living conditions for area residents and diverse ecosystems.

“Everything in a watershed is connected,” said Rebecca Kolarich, water program manager at Environmental Defence and author of the report. Watersheds allow water from rivers, streams or rain to drain into larger bodies of water.

“Watersheds are like veins pumping blood to our hearts. They provide numerous benefits like flood prevention, clean water and habitat for species, while also helping mitigate climate change,” Kolarich said.

They are essential for supporting wildlife, maintaining water quality, providing recreational spaces, and boosting climate resilience, she added. 

The report warns Highway 413 would pave the way for urbanization and traffic that disrupts critical ecosystems and introduces harmful pollutants, such as chlorides from road salt into freshwater systems. The highway poses a threat to over 500 species of regional concern in these watersheds, including at least 65 species at risk, and increases the potential for flooding in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the report states.

Watersheds are key for the long-term survival of species and ecosystems in the GTA. “We can’t afford to put them, and by extension ourselves, at risk by allowing unnecessary development projects like Highway 413 to be built,” Kolarich said.

If constructed, Highway 413 will cut through 2,000 acres of farmland, cross 85 waterways, and pave over nearly 400 acres of protected Greenbelt land. The impact will be felt in 220 wetlands, destroying critical habitats and disrupting migration routes, food sources, and breeding grounds, severely affecting species like the redside dace minnow.  Restoration would be nearly impossible.

According to the report, chloride contamination levels are already rising in the three watersheds. The construction of Highway 413 would exacerbate this problem, turning freshwater habitats into toxic, salty environments. Humber River. Photo submitted by Environmental Defence.

“The highway would destroy natural areas that are home to these species, and once they're gone, we can't bring them back to their natural state,” Kolarich warns.

Ford rejects concerns about the project’s impact on species at risk. The provincial government claims Highway 413 is essential for expanding infrastructure in the Greater Golden Horseshoe to accommodate significant population growth in southern Ontario over the next 30 years. Investing in infrastructure is key to Ontario’s long-term economic strategy, with the highway expected to contribute up to $350 million in GDP annually during construction, the government suggests.

One of the most dangerous chemical runoffs from highways is chloride, a component of road salt used to de-ice roads in winter. It can harm human health, freshwater plants and animals, Kolarich said.

According to the report, chloride contamination levels are already rising in the three watersheds. The construction of Highway 413 would exacerbate this problem, turning freshwater habitats into toxic, salty environments.

Drinking water can also become unsafe if infrastructure, such as wells and pipes, corrode because of exposure to high levels of chloride. “Treating groundwater to remove chloride is extremely expensive,” Kolarich says.  “And it would be a burden for many municipalities. The smarter solution is to avoid building the highway in the first place.”

According to Kolarich, paving over natural areas like wetlands and forest with hard surfaces like roads and parking lots, disrupts the natural water filtration process and can lead to flooding. 

Natural areas absorb rainwater and prevent overflow. “We have seen the impacts that replacing natural areas with hard, impervious surfaces has, especially this past summer with the flooding in Toronto.”

The highway poses a threat to over 500 species of regional concern in these watersheds, including at least 65 species at risk, and increases the potential for flooding in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the report states. Map submitted by Environmental Defence.

Ontario has been paving over natural areas like wetlands for decades, leaving rainwater with nowhere to go, Kolarich told Canada’s National Observer. “Because Highway 413 is proposed to pave over natural rainwater-absorbing and water-filtering areas in each watershed, we can expect more frequent flooding in the coming years if the highway is built.”

Given the environmental risks posed by Highway 413, Kolarich and other environmental advocates want the project scrapped in favour of more sustainable transportation solutions. One alternative suggested in the report is to expand public transit in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). By improving public transit, the region could reduce traffic congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions without destroying natural habitats.

“The federal government has the legal authority to stop this highway,” Kolarich said. “They need to step in and re-designate Highway 413 for a new impact assessment, especially considering the threats to species at risk and the irreversible damage to our watersheds.”

District to single source winter road salt following unsatisfactory bids - Huntsville Doppler (doppleronline.ca)

To ensure it is prepared for this winter, the District will stick to the current suppliers of winter road salt despite its procurement policy, which requires that it go out to tender after renewing a contract with an existing supplier a maximum of five times.

Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works James Steele told District Council at its September meeting that a tender had gone out this summer. He said three of the four bids received were non-compliant, while a fourth bid was way over budget.

The District set aside $925,000 for winter control materials in 2024 and again in the 2025 draft budget. “This budget is used for supply of various winter control materials such as sand, pre-treatment liquids, rock salt and pretreated salt. Provision of rock salt and pre-treated salt make up approximately 68% of the budgeted amounts, which is equal to an annual budget of approximately $625,000,” according to Steele’s report to council. He said the bid received exceeded the budgeted amount by 27 per cent or $234,400.

He recommended proceeding with a single-source procurement for another year with the existing suppliers, K+S Windsor and Salt Ltd. and Compass Minerals, and initiating another procurement process in 2025. He said the one-year contract would have the same terms but unit prices will be adjusted based on a Consumer Prince Index (CPI) as of July 2024 estimated at 2.5%. Steele said the cost of the materials procured through the contract extension is estimated at $620,000.

“As you know road salt is a critical component of winter maintenance and we don’t want to be in a situation where we don’t have a bonafide vendor to start stockpiling preparation,” said Steele.

How to Improve Road Safety During Winter Storms | FeastMagazine (feast-magazine.co.uk)

Did you know that many car accidents occur on icy or snowy roads? Shocking right? Winter weather presents a significant challenge to road safety and leads to hazardous driving conditions such as icy roads, reduced visibility, and snow-covered pathways.

These conditions increase accident risk and make travel dangerous. But even in these conditions, we sometimes have to be on the road to go to work or access essential services. You must be well prepared for the challenging road ahead in such situations. Read along to learn how to improve road safety during winter storms.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Driving

Before hitting the road this winter, ensure your car is ready for the season. Start with your tires. Keep them properly inflated to maintain grip on the road. Cold weather can drop tire pressure. Also, inspect the tread and sidewalls for damage. Winter tires are smart as they offer better grip on snowy roads.

Next, check your car’s battery. Cold weather can strain it because cars need more power when it’s freezing. Have a mechanic check if your battery can handle low temperatures before winter starts. If you drive an electric vehicle, ensure the battery is charged well beyond your usual needs to keep you safe if you get stuck.

Replace old windshield wipers and use winter-grade windshield washer fluid for clear visibility. If you live in an area with harsh winters, consider heated wiper blades.

Make sure all lights work and check your brakes for wear and tear. Good lights help you see and be seen, while well-maintained brakes are essential for safe stopping on icy roads. You can prepare your car for winter driving challenges by taking these steps. Stay safe and drive carefully this season.

Winterizing Infrastructure

While individual drivers can stay safe by following the above tips, the local government must also ensure road safety during winter storms.

The authority must prioritize timely plowing and salting of roads. Salts, such as salt brine for roads, prevent ice from forming by lowering the water’s freezing point. They can also use sand or other abrasives to improve traction in extreme conditions.

Snow fences along roadways can control snow accumulation, especially in areas prone to heavy snowfall. They should also ensure road signs are visible even in low-light conditions.

Safe Driving Practices

Winter is the best time to show your riding skills. But be careful because taking risks can be dangerous. Drive at a reasonable speed. If you need to get somewhere quickly, leave early. Icy and snowy roads make control easier to lose. Driving slower gives you more time to react and reduces skidding risk.

Increase the following distance so you have enough time to stop in an emergency. Leave at least six to eight seconds of space between your car and the one in front. Avoid sudden movements to prevent skidding.

Use low beams when visibility is poor. High beams reflect snowflakes and make it harder to see. If your vehicle skids, steer in the direction you want the front wheels to move. Don’t slam on the brakes as this can worsen the skid.

Emergency Preparedness

Accidents and emergencies can happen even with the best preparations. It’s always good to have a plan. Tell someone about your travel plans, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If you’re late, they can inform the authorities.

Ensure you have an emergency kit with items like blankets, a flashlight, non-perishable food, water, a first aid kit, a shovel, and jumper cables. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid running out of fuel if you get stuck.

If you get stuck or stranded, stay in your vehicle until help comes. This will make finding a car easier for rescuers and keep you safe in bad weather.

Plan Your Route and Time

Check the weather forecast and road conditions before you leave. You should be aware of winter risks, such as avalanches, blizzards, and ice storms. Staying at home is better than having to apologize for them.

Delay your trip until conditions improve. Have a GPS and traffic app to notify you of real-time traffic updates on road conditions. Stick to the main roads because they are more likely to be plowed and treated with salt or sand. A shortcut might be the longest way home.

Winter storms are a significant risk to road safety. Avoid travelling unless necessary. Remember, how you drive and prepare is the key to safe winter driving.