40% of quarries subject to MEPA enforcements

The environmental permitting process for 17 quarries is on hold due to pending planning issues and active enforcements on the site of these quarries.

These represent 40% of the quarries, which have submitted an application for an environmental permit, which is a requirement for all quarries in Malta and Gozo.

Only quarries which conform to planning regulations are eligible for an environment permit.

So far, seven quarries have been endowed with an environmental permit. 17 applications for an environmental permit are still being processed.

Among the quarries whose applications cannot be processed due to pending infringements is the Ta’ Klement quarry in Qala, Gozo, whose stone is being used for the construction of a new parliament in Valletta.

Other quarries with pending enforcement issues include the one in Wied Incita in Attard, the Ghar Lapsi quarry in Siggiewi and the one in Wied Filep in Naxxar.

The environmental permitting programme for all quarries in Malta and Gozo was launched in June 2010 to mitigate the inconvenience these operations have on neighbourhoods and increase the standards of environment compliance within the industry.

One of the major problems associated with the operations of quarries is the high dust levels these plants generate.

The new system grouped quarries in Malta and Gozo in 12 clusters, based upon location and operational similarities.

The aim of this permitting system was to address environmental shortcomings and assist quarry owners to achieve the full legal compliance according to the environmental regulations.

When the scheme was launched, the authority expected all operational quarries to be in the process of full compliance by the end of 2010.

READ MORE @ Environmental Permitting

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