Three quarries in the Algarve are in a critical situation, according to the Intervention Plan for Quarries in Critical Situation, approved this Thursday, February 7th, by the Council of Ministers.
In addition to the three quarries in the Algarve, one of them the exploration of Palmeira nº2, as the Sul Informação had already advanced, more than 188 quarries in the country in critical situation were identified in this plan, which need signaling work (87%) and sealing (74%), but also previous studies/or execution projects that «allow the identification of solutions techniques suitable for carrying out interventions of a structural nature, the replacement of defense zones and the stabilization of heaps (93%)».
Many of these problems were identified, over the years, in the quarry of Palmeira nº2, in Monchique, as our newspaper reported in reporter.
This exploration is being subject to an evaluation process, which was instructed by the General Inspectorate of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Spatial Planning (IGAMAOT), which is underway, but whose results are not yet known to the public.
O Sul Informação has already questioned the Ministry of Environment and Energy Transition (MATE) about the other two quarries in the Algarve, which are in critical condition, but has not yet received an answer from the cabinet of Minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes. However, the Ministry's press office informed that the name and specific location of the quarries could only be revealed “when the Plan is published in Diário da República”.
The Intervention Plan, now approved by the Council of Ministers, was determined by the Minister of Environment and Energy Transition, following the partial collapse of Estrada Municipal 255, in Borba, on 19 November, and «aimed at investigating the real situation of the quarries existing throughout the continental territory and allow the assessment of the need for intervention, having as a priority the protection of people, goods and the environment», explains that Ministry.
In Portugal, there are around 2500 quarries, of which 57% are licensed by the central public administration and 43% are licensed by the local public administration. Of the 1426 quarries in the sphere of competence of the central Public Administration, 191 (13%) are in a critical situation.
For these, «the level of intervention was defined, with 34 quarries with “high” priority, 76 with “moderate” priority and 81 with “low” priority», explains MATE.
In the approved document, the Government estimates that an investment “of 14,3 million euros, to be supported by the quarry operators or by the owners of the lands” where they are located, is necessary to correct the detected illegalities.
Once the quarries in critical situation have been identified, the General Directorate of Energy and Geology (DGEG) will notify “all quarry operators or owners of the land where they are located to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations”.
The signaling of the quarries in critical situation is the responsibility of the Mining Development Company (EDM).
In case of non-compliance by explorers and/or owners, DGEG will communicate the crime of disobedience to the Public Prosecutor's Office and EDM “will carry out the fence interventions and carry out preliminary studies and/or execution projects”, adds MATE.
This plan also envisages “enabling and providing DGEG and EDM, through the Environmental Fund, with indispensable resources and foreseeing the adoption of contractual procedures admitted by law for situations of manifest urgency”. For this, «the Environmental Fund will allocate an amount of about 2,2 million euros/year in 2019, 2020 and 2021».
The North (77) and Alentejo (55) regions are those with the highest number of quarries in critical condition.
According to the summary report of the document, which covers only the quarries within the competence of the Central Public Administration, it should be extended, later on, «to class 3 and 4 quarries, within the competences of the local public administration, as well as to the former explorations that ceased their activity more than 40 years ago, before any licensing obligation, and potential illegal explorations».
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