Obey laws, minister tells Fujairah quarry owners

FUJAIRAH // The Minister of Climate Change and Environment has met quarry operators to discuss the concerns of Northern Emirates residents on health risks from dust and noise levels.

At the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority in Dibba on Thursday, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi discussed laws governing quarries and crusher plants, a key priority of UAE Vision 2021.

He said the ministry was “committed in its efforts to work closely with all sectors in the move to promote economic growth, including local crushers and quarries”, the state news agency Wam reported.

“However, in order to become more effective and operative, these facilities should adhere to standards, guidelines and legislation to prevent environmental impact,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

He said the measures were in line with the UAE’s leaders’ aims to “achieve and maintain a clean environment, sustainable future and to provide all the resources to support economic development in the UAE”.

The ministry will continue to conduct regular inspections to check compliance with environmental standards and laws, Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

The quarries companies were told they must hold regular training sessions to make sure staff were aware of health and safety and environmental laws.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said that the ministry would also use drones to inspect crusher and quarrying operations.