The demand for quarrying materials in Cyprus is increasing by 7% every year, which is attributed to the growth of the construction sector over the last five years. Especially in the quarry zone of Pyrgai, which serves a significant part of the relevant needs of the districts of Larnaca and Nicosia, the quantities are awe-inspiring.
Specifically, as stated by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, in response to relevant questions by the MP of Larnaca, Mr. Andreas Pasiourtidis, the annual sales of the quarry show an increasing trend, reaching about 1.3 million tons, in 2024 and 1.4 million tons, in 2025.
As the minister explains, this production is the largest in relation to the rest of the quarries in Cyprus.
In response to Mr. Pasiourtidis' questions and concerns about possible impacts on the natural environment and biodiversity, the minister also states the following:
-In the area of the community of Pyrgai, in the Larnaca District, there are two quarry zones of interbasic rocks. The quarry in question belongs to the company SKYRA LIMA Ltd, which has been active in the area since 1960 and is located within one of the two designated quarry zones.
-This quarry contributed decisively to meeting the country's needs for aggregates, thus supporting the implementation of important infrastructure projects of the Republic of Cyprus, especially during the decades that followed in 1974, since this was the only active quarry in the free areas, after the Turkish invasion of 1974.
-Recently, the company SKYRA LIMA Ltd has carried out a geological survey in the wider area and the results of which show that northwest of the existing quarry privilege, there are remarkable reserves of high quality suitable interbasic rock.
-In this case, due to the strategic location of the quarry and the very large quantities of materials available from it, it is estimated that in the event of its permanent closure there will be a problem in the supply chain of the building and construction industry. This fact is due to the fact that it will not be possible to cover the 1.4 million tons of materials, which are produced and sold today by this quarry, by the rest of the quarries in the area. The transport of quarry materials, from other more distant areas, to meet the needs that will arise, is considered environmentally and economically prohibitive. Therefore, in case of non-expansion, there may be a need for the immediate creation of a new quarry zone, in the Larnaca District, with consequent environmental and social impacts.
-A relevant study in which measurements were also carried out in the quarry in question, showed that PM10 concentrations, in areas near quarries, remain within the statutory limits and no significant burden attributable exclusively to quarrying activity is documented. Taking into account the many years of daily activity of 65 consecutive years in the area, there are no recorded significant impacts from the operation of the quarry both on the environment and on the neighbouring communities.
