THE LOOKOUT | Rio Maior wants clarification of doubts about sand extraction near villages

The population of Azinheira fears that the residential area will become an island surrounded by silica sand extraction areas, used in the glass industry

Residents of Azinheira, in Rio Maior, are concerned about the possible expansion of the sand extraction area close to the urban area. The Municipality wants to promote clarification sessions and for the General Directorate of Energy and Geology to comment on the concerns raised.

The Rio Maior City Council wants to contribute to clarifying all doubts related to the possible expansion of silica sand extraction in the vicinity of the city, which is generating concern among the population of Azinheira. The PSD/CDS majority that manages the municipality approved a proposal committing to meet with the General Directorate of Energy and Geology so that this entity, responsible for licensing aggregates exploration, can provide full clarification on the concerns raised.
Last February, several residents of Azinheira, on the outskirts of Rio Maior, mobilized to form an association to fight against the expansion of mining exploration near the town. The movement, which was consolidated in a meeting on February 17th, at the local community, fears that the residential area will become an island surrounded by areas for the extraction of silica sand, used in the glass industry. There are currently two concessionary extraction zones operated by companies located in the Industrial Zone of Rio Maior, a short distance from the town. The trigger for the popular movement was a request for a concession to explore a new area close to the urban area.
In view of the population’s fears, the Rio Maior Chamber assures that it will continue, within its competences, to listen to and be a partner with the population regarding their doubts and concerns, seeking clarification from the entities and companies involved. The municipality will continue to promote joint clarification sessions between the companies involved and the population so that it can inventory and summarize residents’ concerns. “Because the urgency of the issue deserves everyone’s concern, the municipality must make every effort to ensure that all the aforementioned meetings take place as quickly as possible”, reads the proposal presented at an executive meeting, approved by the PSD/CDS majority with PS abstaining.
At the same executive meeting, held on April 12, the PS presented a proposal on the same subject, which ended up being rejected by the majority. In short, the two socialist councilors advocated that the municipality consult the population about the doubts and concerns it has and that it seek and coordinate the means in search of answers regarding the real impact of this activity on population clusters, then publicly disseminating the conclusions.
The municipality of Rio Maior “has been closely following this entire issue, providing the population and elected officials with the information at its disposal and within its sphere of competence”, reads the introduction of the proposal signed by the mayor of Rio Maior, Filipe Santana Dias.