Whilst those that live in Motril are very happy that the breakwater is finally taking shape, those that live in Lobres most definitely are not.
You see, the boulders that are being used to build the groyne are coming from the controversial quarry in Lobres.
According to the neighbourhood association in Lobres, the quarry is illegal, which logically, it should be. Those that has been running it for the last two years, Gestisur Andalucía SL, say that it has been in existence for over 50 years… but Lobres has been around much longer.
The problems are the detonations that rattle the whole village and the fine dust that permeates everything, which is not only a nuisance, but also a health hazard.
After blasting, the necessary rock from the exposed hillside, has to be taken by lorry over the bridge spanning the A-7 and then through the village, which in itself is yet another problem. The quarry is far too close to the village, especially the junior school there.
In the meantime, the Playa Granada works requires approximately 100,000 tonnes of this rock and Lobres quarry has already supplied 60,000 tonnes.
Probably, Lobres quarry was chosen because it provided the most economical offer, owing to the lower transportation costs. Bringing the rock from Dúrcal or Jayena would be more expensive, so perhaps the relevant administrations turned a blind eye to, if not the legality of the quarry, then to its environment suitability.
Finally the Mayor of Salobreña, Javier Ortega, (Lobres comes under Salobreña) expressed his support for the residents of Lobres and assured that he would do all that he could to stop the blasting etc. He said he would “take all the legal measures possible,” and does not rule out fining the quarry.
Of course, if that were the case, the quarry would logically and gladly pay a fine because the money to be made will more than compensate for it. The problem is not the company, but the Central Government which has chosen to use it.
(News: Lobres, Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)
Keywords: Quarry, Blasting, Dust, Breakwater, Groyne, Playa Granada, Motril, Central Government, Mayor