The Mining Service (YM) is making revelations about the background that led to the change in its stance regarding the construction of a hermitage of the Holy Monastery of Stavrovouni (IMS) from the active quarry of the area.
As can be seen from its positions, the Mining Service had serious reservations from the beginning and was negative to the licensing of any construction in this area, citing major safety issues. However, she differed her views at the suggestion of the IMS consultant.
According to the Mining Service, its initial position was clear and categorically negative regarding any development or presence of persons at the site, due to the immediate proximity of about 50 meters to the existing quarry.
According to the Mining Service, the proposed development for the construction of a monks' retreat cannot coexist with the existing development of the quarry due to the very close proximity of the application area to the existing quarry. More specifically, serious safety issues are raised for the monks who will be ascetics in the building, since just a few meters away the quarrying works are in full swing with continuous traffic of heavy-duty machinery and trucks and with the daily use of explosives. In addition, due to the very close distance, noise nuisance will be inevitable so it will not serve the purpose of the building as a retreat.
It is noted that the specific proposed development for the construction of a retreat may be located in any alternative location where the safety issues mentioned will not arise. While, as a fact, quarry developments can only take place within the areas where there is a suitable deposit and the urban planning regime allows it.
The fixed position of the Service was that in general a positive position could not be given for any projects within the landslide zone and high risk from the quarrying works.
The reversal of the scene occurred after the meeting held on May 3, 2022 at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. During the meeting, the competent officials expressed their reservations again.
According to the Mining Service, the differentiation of views and the change of attitude was achieved through the proposal submitted by the councillor of the Monastery, a former executive of the Department of Urban Planning (TP), who invoked the provisions of article 43 of the Urban Planning and Spatial Planning Law.
Based on this legal arrangement, the Mining Service was led to consent, on the condition that the Monastery would sign an agreement by which it accepted full responsibility and the inevitable nuisance (noise, vibrations, dust) from the quarry's work. Furthermore, part of the agreement with the TPO was the condition that the Monastery would not have any claim or objection that would affect the unhindered operation of the quarry and would undertake the obligation to remove the monk from the hermitage during the hours of the scheduled blasts.
Officials of the Mines Service characteristically state that the consent was essentially given at the suggestion and commitment of the IMS through the legal clause of assumption of responsibility by the Monastery itself, in order to overcome the obstacle of their own negative position on safety issues.
The Mining Agency insists that the technical reality in the area confirms its initial concerns. At the same time, checks are being carried out to determine whether the earthworks, excavations and embankments carried out in the area are covered by relevant permits or whether they further aggravated the landslide phenomenon due to improper management of rainwater and a geotechnical study is already underway.
The Agency's position remains that safety rules and protection against geological hazards should not be circumvented by administrative or legal arrangements, underlining that its reservations about stability and safety in the area remain intact.
