Cyprus’ quarries still out of control, audit warns

Six years after the last audit of Cyprus’ Mining and Quarrying Service, compliance remains alarmingly low, according to a new report from the Auditor General. The findings highlight long-standing issues in managing the country’s mineral resources, raising concerns over delays, environmental impact, and financial accountability.

The report reveals that 15 out of 29 license applications (52%) have still not been fully processed, with the average review time stretching to 6.8 months due to delayed feedback from relevant departments.

One particularly contentious proposal, a quarry zone in the community of Androlikou, could reduce underground water replenishment by up to 160,000 cubic meters, creating serious environmental risks. Meanwhile, €270,000 in unpaid quarry fees from a 2019 case remains unresolved and is currently under legal review.

Slow processing of new applications

The audit found that the approval process for new quarry licenses is bogged down and inefficient. Between 2020 and 2023, 29 applications for quarry development permits were submitted, yet only 14 had been fully processed by the time of the audit. Of the remaining applications, five were delayed by 1–2 years, and ten were delayed by more than two years, leaving developers in limbo.

Gaps in compliance

The report also found that Cyprus is not fully aligned with European regulations. EU rules on critical raw materials require member states to impose penalties for violations, but Cyprus has not yet implemented such measures, underscoring the need for immediate compliance.

Environmental shortcomings

The audit flagged significant environmental concerns. The Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) prepared in June 2022, as part of the 2021–2050 Sustainable Mining and Quarrying Strategy, has not yet been formally submitted to the Environmental Authority for review. This leaves the strategy at the proposal stage and potentially outdated, requiring updates before official approval.

The report also noted that calculations of quarry material needs for Paphos province appear overestimated, including projects already rejected or without submitted studies. This could create unnecessary pressure to expand or establish new quarry zones.

Androlikou quarry zone

The proposed quarry in Androlikou sits within a protected groundwater zone, where the aquifer’s condition is already rated as poor. The audit warns that continued extraction could further reduce aquifer recharge by up to 160,000 cubic meters of water.

Additionally, a quarry permit was granted in a Natura 2000 protected area without the required Special Ecological Assessment, with the Environmental Authority issuing only a basic review under Article 15 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law. The permit’s duration was set at eight years, instead of the two-year limit recommended by the Environmental Authority.

The Auditor General concluded that, despite six years passing since the previous review, many of the same management weaknesses and regulatory gaps remain unresolved. The report calls for urgent action to streamline licensing, comply with EU rules, and ensure environmental safeguards are properly enforced, particularly in sensitive areas such as Androlikou and the Paphos region.