TephraLite
Geotechnical Lightweight Fill
TephraLite
Lightweight Concrete
LavaScape
LavaGrip

VOLCANIC LIGHTWEIGHT AGGREGATE SOLUTIONS

Our Goal:

“To provide and deliver the highest performing solutions possible, while ensuring our commitment to social and environmental responsibility.” 

The mine site is reviewed by an engineer annually, safeguards are in place to ensure compliance with current protection standards and the site is kept in a pristine condition.

red basalt as fill material and lightweight solution

Volcanic Aggregates as Lightweight Fill Material

Volcanic Aggregates such as Red Vesicular Basalt have been used for a long time as Geotechnical fill /Lightweight fill due to some of the materials specific engineering characteristics. Red Basalt is a thermal insulator, porous, amorphous, chemically inert, pH neutral, 100% environmentally friendly, free-draining, and yet hard enough to be used as an abrasive. These characteristics enable it to be a cost-effective ideal solution to many challenging geotechnical applications. Red Basalt is often utilized in situations where an engineer must convert soft and unstable soil into usable property, these lightweight fill aggregates provide a practical, reliable and economical solution to alternative engineering methods. Where a lightweight fill such as Red Vesicular Basalt is often utilized in construction applications such as (a) retaining walls (b) sub-base of roads (c) bridge approaches & abutments (d) foundation backfill (e) water & sewer trench backfill (f) pull-boxes, vaults & sub-stations (g) gas & oil pipeline fill (h) telecommunications & hydro-conduit line fill (i) underground storage tank backfill (j) building/structural foundation backfill (k) landfill drainage system.

concrete application of volcanic lightweight products

Lightweight Concrete Products

One of the largest uses of scoria lava rock is for the production of lightweight concrete blocks and other lightweight concrete products. When scoria lava rock is mixed in with concrete slurry the vesicles remain partially filled with air. Those spaces with trapped air inside them reduce the weight of the block. Lighter blocks can reduce the structural steel requirements of a building or reduce the foundation requirements. The air-filled vesicles also give the blocks a greater insulating value. Scoria can be used to make decorative precast concrete (stone veneer), lightweight insulating concrete, concrete for infrastructure & buildings and structural precast concrete.

lava rock

Horticultural Application

For soils that need increased aeration and/or improved drainage Red Basalt and Black Scoria are the ideal solution. Good soils generally need sufficient water and nutrient loading as well as little compaction to allow for the easy exchange of gases. CanLava’s Red Basalt and Black Scoria are rich in micro-nutrients, trace elements and minerals. Due to the rock’s porous structure and permeability, water and gases can be transported easily through the pores and nutrients can be stored in the microscopic holes. An inorganic material that won’t break down and will not decompose over time, will also help minimize compaction. With lava rock plant roots do not struggle to take water and oxygen in, and lava rocks also helps to allow carbon dioxide to escape easily. You can also use it in hydroponic gardening as a substrate because of its permeability and ability to absorb the fertilizer solution. Lava rocks maintain a moist, nutrient-rich environment for the plants’ tender roots. Some common applications for lava rocks in horticulture are (a) landscape mulch (b) soil conditioner/amender (c) rooftop gardens (d) soilless growing medium ex. Hydroponics.

soap made of lava rock for beauty products

Health and Beauty Products

For soils that need increased aeration and/or improved drainage Red Basalt and Black Scoria are the ideal solution. Good soils generally need sufficient water and nutrient loading as well as little compaction to allow for the easy exchange of gases. Lava Rock has been used for a long time as a material for personal care products. Lava Rock has been found to be used by ancient Egyptians, Romans and Chinese for skincare and beauty. The uses ranged from removal of dead skin and body hair, toothpaste, and nail grooming. Lava Rock is an abrasive material that exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin or unwanted hair. Commonly used in beauty salons during the pedicure process to remove dry and excess skin from the bottom of the foot as well as calluses. Lava Rock is also added to heavy-duty hand cleaners as a mild abrasive to help break down loose sticky dirt, oils, grease, inks, adhesives, paints, etc. It is also commonly found as an ingredient in bars of soap, which helps to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells. One excellent example is LavaMe.

lava grip

Traction Aid

Black Scoria (LavaGrip) when used as a traction-aid delivers superior traction compared to other traction-aid products. The completely irregular, jagged shape and structure of crushed black scoria (LavaGrip) allows the material to dig into the surface it has been spread over to deliver the much-needed additional traction every homeowner and car owner needs in icy conditions. Traditional ice melts, salts, and chemicals damage your sidewalks, driveways, property, and cars. However, LavaGrip being completely all natural will not cause that same damage to personal property. Ice melts and chemicals will also cause a lot of pain to your pet’s paws. In an attempt to remove this pain, pets will lick their feet and inevitably consume these toxic materials. Black scoria lava rock known as LavaGrip is 100% pet safe, so pet lovers and animals will appreciate the safety it provides for them. LavaGrip also works in any temperature unlike ice melts and salts, despite the large amounts of chemicals and harmful ingredients used. LavaGrip gives you instant traction the moment you step on an icy surface and stays in place throughout cold snaps.

lava rock for filtration purposes

Filtration Media

Lava rock is an igneous rock that forms as an erupting volcano’s molten lava cools and hardens, all the porous spaces and vesicles created are due to gasses escaping during the cooling process. This is what makes the rock lightweight but also the reason it is classified as a free-draining material. When lava rock is used in your filtration system, there is an abundant amount of surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and grow. That is what makes lava rock such a great filter media. It is also very beneficial when used as part of a landfill drainage system.