Environmental group urges halt to quarry licensing near Androlikou Gorge

Androlikou, Cyprus. The federation of environmental NGOs, Opok, on Wednesday called for all further quarry licensing in the area to be suspended, warning that a proposed new quarry would cause irreversible damage to one of Cyprus’ most environmentally sensitive areas.

Assessment concerns

Opok said a special ecological assessment prepared by the environment department underestimated the effects of expanding quarrying activity beside the Androlikou Gorge, despite concerns raised during the consultation process.

The federation said the proposed extraction of 900,000 cubic metres of limestone would involve 315,000 kilograms of explosives over two to three years, close to the gorge.

Environmental impact

According to Opok, the project would require the removal of all vegetation, including about 2,400 trees, and extensive blasting operations.

It said this would result in intense and irreversible changes to the natural landscape and the loss of important habitats in an area already affected by quarrying.

Opok argued that the proposed site should be designated as a buffer zone for the Androlikou Gorge because of its environmental importance.

Quarrying claims

Although the development is presented as a new quarry, Opok said it directly adjoins the existing quarry zone and forms part of the same wider mining activity.

The organisation also claimed that about 31 per cent of the proposed site had already been quarried without the required permits.

It said the area includes habitats protected under the Natura 2000 network as part of the Akamas peninsula conservation area.

The proposal revives a dispute that has continued for several years between quarry operators and environmental groups.