A fleet of vehicles using surveillance technology linked to satellites will provide real-time data on the number and size of violations committed by quarries and crushers in Fujairah.
Engineer Ali Qassem, General Manager of the Fujairah Natural Resources Foundation, said technology that enables further control on quarries that pose an environmental threat and are harmful to public health are welcomed.
“Over the past few months, 5 quarries were closed down, 3 of which temporarily and 2 for non-compliance with laws,” said Mr Qassem. “They shall be re-opened after a certain period of time.”
He noted that during this same period, warnings and fines were issued against 14 quarries and crushers, while administrative irregularities were registered against quarries that exceeded their allotted sites, in addition to minor violations.
Mr Qassem said there was a decline in the number of closures, fines and warnings in 2014 compared to 2013.
During 2014, 7 quarries were closed down whereas 9 were closed down in 2013. Fines and warnings totalled 19 in 2014 compared with 21 in 2013, reported Al Ittihad, the Arabic language sister paper of The National.
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