Quarries have until February 21 to put new regulations into effect after the Ministry of Environment and Water enforced a decree imposing the installation of cameras and filters.
Ghanim Al Shamsi, acting assistant undersecretary of external audit at the ministry, said the decree completes a ministerial decree issued in 2010, and both aim to create a safe, sustainable and pollution-free environment in line with the UAE 2021 vision.
The deadline is sufficient for all quarries to abide by the regulations, said Mr Al Shamsi, noting that of 114 quarries and stone crushers in the UAE, 72 are currently operational.
The others have either stopped business due to economic difficulties or were suspended by the authorities.
Mr Al Shamsi said that from January to August, eight warning were issued to quarries in Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman while five other quarries were shut down in Fujairah.
Under the new directive, all quarries must instal advanced filters and surveillance cameras at their own expense.
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