April 13, 2023 – 11:52
Al-Akhbar (Al-Zuwairat) concluded in the city of Al-Zuwairat awareness days about the dangers of chemicals used in private mining, which I supervised.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Moulay Ibrahim Ould Moulay Ibrahim, said that the aim of these days is to educate citizens about the procedures that must be followed for safety from chemicals used in the field of private mining, such as mercury, and their health effects on the individual and society.
He called on all economic actors in the private mining sector, imams and representatives of civil society organizations to contribute to this awareness campaign.
He pointed out that frequent information indicates that mercury has become present in the markets and among citizens, as this poses great risks to the health of society.
He added that the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development will intensify its monitoring missions on private mining activities, and that any industrial or commercial activity whose owner does not comply with safety procedures will be subject to closure.
On the sidelines of the days, a surprise inspection was carried out by a mission from the Department of Environmental Assessment and Control. On the sidelines of the awareness days, three companies for the treatment of private mining waste known as “Class F” were closed and work was stopped in its three factories on the grounds of “non-compliance” with the conditions agreed upon in the book. The commitments are among the five companies currently operating in Asfariyat among the 9 licensed ones.
