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Introdu The extr subsurfa activity g environm environm landscap activities welfare o activities The Baix characte quarries Riudecol 3.5% of t quarries, cover 11 The lack at the mu very ofte license a of govern for enviro recent ye interests activities such as certain a enhance protectio Other mu these ac example Alforja, R d’Escorn Montroig Riudoms Botarell, In summ municipa quarries, for taxes environm Mining Keywords > Quarries > overexploitation > stone > ecosystem This document should be cited as: Pons Sole, Joan. 2015. Land overe EJOLT Factsheet No. 31, 2 p. Figure2: Map of Baix Camp with current mining activities highlighted in orange (Source: Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat - Figure 3: Proposed quarry site in Baix Camp where residents are strongly opposed (Source: Joan Pons Solé) Territori i Sostenibilitat - Figure 4: Banner of opposition to a new quarry Argentera (Source: Joan Pons Solé) uction raction of aggregates and other ace minerals as an economic generates significant mental impacts – on the local ment and biodiversity, on the pe, on traditional economic s linked to the land, and on the of people living near these s. x Camp region of Catalonia is erised by a high concentration of (Figure 1). In the municipality of ols for example, currently around the municipality is occupied by , with plans to expand activity to 1% of the municipality. k of regulation of these activities unicipal level has meant that en work is carried out without any and with the absolute complicity nment departments responsible onmental control. Moreover, in ears there has been a clash of s between these extractive s and other economic initiatives rural tourism, the re-launch of agricultural areas, the ement of the landscape and the on of the environment. unicipalities that are affected by ctivities in Baix Camp are, for e, Duesaigues, l’Argentera, Riudecanyes, Vilanova nalbou, Pratdip Colldejou, g del Camp, Montbrió del Camp, s, Vinyols, Maspujols, l'Aleixar, , les Borges del Camp (Figure 2). mary, a large majority of alities in the region have , quarries that provide income s, but that generate mental externalities. Backgroun Catalonia in g particular, con important area has created n strong reliefs, formations. Mining in the been ongoing Some of these closed, as lan commenced i Environme The exploitati Lower Camp generates ver impacts. Thes Altera its va Impac quarr Increa vehic area Emiss Altera areas corrid These environ been minimize Land overexploitation in the qua Baix Camp region in Catal Figure 1: Quarrie (Source: Joan Po : exploitation in the quarries of the Baix Camp regio July 20, 2015 - Page 1 EJOLT Fact sheet 031 nd general, and Baix Camp in ntain some geologically as, where tectonic activity numerous rocky outcrops, , folds, faults and other villages of Baix Camp has g for several decades. e quarries have been ndscape restoration in a few rare cases. ental conflict ion of resource mining in has generated and still ry significant environmental se can be summarized as: ation of the landscape and alues ct noise around the ries ased movement of heavy cles on the rural roads in the sions of dust ation of habitats of natural s that act as ecological dors nmental effects have often ed in environmental impact arries of the lonia es in Vilanova d'Escornalbou ons Solé) on in Catalonia,
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Page 1: Baix Camp region in Catalonia 031 · Montroig del Cam Riudoms, V Botarell, les Borges del Camp In summary, a large majority of municipalities in the region have quarries, quarries

Introduction The extraction of aggregates and other subsurface minerals activity generateenvironmentenvironment and biodiversity, on the landscape, on traditional economic activities linked to the landwelfare of people living near these activities. The Baix Campcharacterised by a high quarries Riudecols3.5% of the municipality is occupied by quarries, with plans to expand activity to cover 11% of the municipality. The lack of regulation of these activities at the municipal level has meant that very often license and with of government departments for environmental controlrecent years there has been a clash of interests between these extractive activities and other economic initiatives such as rural tourism, the recertain agricultural areas, the enhancement of the landscape and the protection of the environment. Other municipalities that are affected by these activities in Baix Camp are, for example, Duesaigues, l’Argentera, Alforja, Riudecanyes, Vilanova d’Escornalbou, Pratdip Colldejou, Montroig del CamRiudoms, VBotarell, les Borges del Camp In summary, a large majority of municipalities in the region have quarries, quarries that provide income for taxes, but environmental externalities.

Mining

Keywords

> Quarries

> overexploitation

> stone

> ecosystem

This document should be cited as:

Pons Sole, Joan. 2015. Land overexploitation in the quarries of the Baix Camp region in Catalonia

EJOLT Factsheet No. 31, 2 p.

Figure2: Map of Baix Camp with

current mining activities

highlighted in orange

(Source: Departament de

Territori i Sostenibilitat -

Figure 3: Proposed quarry site in

Baix Camp where residents are

strongly opposed

(Source: Joan Pons Solé)

Territori i Sostenibilitat -

Figure 4: Banner of opposition to

a new quarry Argentera (Source:

Joan Pons Solé)

Introduction

The extraction of aggregates and other subsurface minerals as an economic

generates significant environmental impacts – on the local environment and biodiversity, on the landscape, on traditional economic activities linked to the land, and on the welfare of people living near these activities.

The Baix Camp region of Catalonia is characterised by a high concentration of

(Figure 1). In the municipality of Riudecols for example, currently around 3.5% of the municipality is occupied by

, with plans to expand activity to 11% of the municipality.

The lack of regulation of these activities at the municipal level has meant that very often work is carried out without any license and with the absolute complicity of government departments responsible

nvironmental control. Moreover, in recent years there has been a clash of interests between these extractive activities and other economic initiatives such as rural tourism, the re-launch of

rtain agricultural areas, the enhancement of the landscape and the protection of the environment.

Other municipalities that are affected by these activities in Baix Camp are, for example, Duesaigues, l’Argentera, Alforja, Riudecanyes, Vilanova d’Escornalbou, Pratdip Colldejou, Montroig del Camp, Montbrió del Camp, Riudoms, Vinyols, Maspujols, l'Aleixar, Botarell, les Borges del Camp (Figure 2).

In summary, a large majority of municipalities in the region have quarries, quarries that provide income for taxes, but that generate environmental externalities.

Background Catalonia in general, and particular, contain important areas, where tectonic activity has created numerous rocstrong reliefs, folds, faults and other formations. Mining in the villages been ongoing for several decades. Some of these quarries have been closed, as landscape restoration commenced in Environmental conflict The exploitation of resource mining in Lower Camp has generated and still generates very significant environmental impacts. These can be summarized as:

• Alteration of the landscape and its values

• Impact noise around the quarries

• Increased movement of heavy vehicles on the rural roads in the area

• Emissions of dust• Alteration of habitats of

areas that act as ecological corridors

These environmental effects have often been minimized in environmental impact

Land overexploitation in the quarries of the

Baix Camp region in Catalonia

Figure 1: Quarries in Vilanova d'Escornalbou

(Source: Joan Pons Solé)

This document should be cited as:

Land overexploitation in the quarries of the Baix Camp region in Catalonia

July 20, 2015 - Page 1

EJOLT Fact sheet

031

Background

Catalonia in general, and Baix Camp in contain some geologically

important areas, where tectonic activity has created numerous rocky outcrops,

, folds, faults and other

Mining in the villages of Baix Camp has been ongoing for several decades. Some of these quarries have been

ndscape restoration in a few rare cases.

Environmental conflict

The exploitation of resource mining in Lower Camp has generated and still generates very significant environmental impacts. These can be summarized as:

Alteration of the landscape and its values Impact noise around the quarries

creased movement of heavy vehicles on the rural roads in the

Emissions of dust Alteration of habitats of natural areas that act as ecological corridors

hese environmental effects have often been minimized in environmental impact

Land overexploitation in the quarries of the

Baix Camp region in Catalonia

Figure 1: Quarries in Vilanova d'Escornalbou

(Source: Joan Pons Solé)

Land overexploitation in the quarries of the Baix Camp region in Catalonia,

Page 2: Baix Camp region in Catalonia 031 · Montroig del Cam Riudoms, V Botarell, les Borges del Camp In summary, a large majority of municipalities in the region have quarries, quarries

studies submitted by companies, with the approval of environmental Different organizations and platforms, environmental associations and neighbourhood groups have expressed their opposition to the proliferation of more quarries in the area benvironmental impacts4). In fact, opposition to these projects is increasing,been mobilised to delegitimize these opposition movements. Social conflict In addition to the environmental impacts of the projects, social conflictincreasingin quarries in the extent that now project, or attempt to expand an one, faces some sort of opposition. These reactions have been a surprise to the region around the quarries, as residentsquarries with tolerance and resignation. Municipal politicians and political processes that had until recently enjoyed much stability, have now beeoverwhelmed by situation frequently characterised by violence. Past ‘normal’ procedures of quarryinstallation operational freedom by mining companies are now a thing of the past. One of the most prominent social reactions l’Argentera. In this municipality company plans to area of special natural interest, close to the Castle historic place in the region)affecting the landscape roads in the area. Critical a strong movement has temporarily halted it, generatingthe town Although local politicians have consistentlymovement and hpublic, the peoplea project would generate many morenegative

This publication was developed as a part of the project Environmental Justice Organisations, Liabilities and Trade (EJOLT) (FP7-Science in Society-2010-1, under grant agreement no 266642). The views and opinions expressed in all EJOLT publications reflect the authors’ view and the European Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. EJOLT aims to improve policy responses to and support collaborative research and action on environmental conflicts through capacity building of environmental justice groups around the world. Visit our free resource library and database at www.ejolt.org or Facebook (www.facebook.com/ejolt) or follow tweets (@EnvJustice) to stay current on latest news and events.

studies submitted by the operating companies, with the approval of environmental agency in Catalonia.

Different organizations and platforms, environmental associations and neighbourhood groups have expressed their opposition to the proliferation of more quarries in the area because of its environmental impacts (Figures 3 and

In fact, opposition to these projects is increasing, but political pressure has been mobilised to delegitimize these opposition movements.

Social conflict In addition to the environmental impacts

the projects, social conflict is increasing. The opposition movements in quarries in Baix Camp are growing to the extent that now almost every new project, or attempt to expand an existing one, faces some sort of opposition.

These reactions have been a surprise to region around the quarries, as

residents had always accepted the quarries with tolerance and resignation. Municipal politicians and political processes that had until recently enjoyed much stability, have now been overwhelmed by situation frequently characterised by violence.

Past ‘normal’ procedures of quarry installation and conditions of complete operational freedom by mining companies are now a thing of the past. One of the most prominent social reactions occurred in the municipality of Argentera. In this municipality a

company plans to install a quarry in an special natural interest, close to

the Castle of Escornalbou (the main historic place in the region), significantly affecting the landscape and historic roads in the area. Critical of the project, a strong movement has temporarily

ed it, generating debate not only in town, but in the entire region.

Although local politicians have istently tried to discredit the

movement and hide information from the the people understand that such

a project would generate many more negative impacts than benefits. The

promise of jobs and investment by the municipality are no longer enough to ensure the acceptproposed qua Certainly something political and social perception of quarries in Baix Campthe town of Riudecolsplanners have agreed proliferation of new extensions to existing quarries. clearly understood that thenumber of quarries has beenand that the people negative impacts associated with these economic activities.

More on this case

DEFENTERRAhttp://defenterra.galeon.com/

No quarry at Escornalbouhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/187886098950/

Alveolus website (Spanish) http://alveolus.cat/

Gepec website (Spanish) http://gepec.cat/show_new.php?id=6

July 20, 2015 - Page 2

promise of jobs and investment by the municipality are no longer enough to

acceptance of another proposed quarry.

rtainly something has changed in the political and social perception of quarries

Baix Camp, especially in the case of the town of Riudecols where municipal planners have agreed to stop the proliferation of new quarries or extensions to existing quarries. Here it is

understood that the acceptable number of quarries has been exceeded, and that the people cannot withstand the

impacts associated with these economic activities.

More on this case

DEFENTERRA website (Spanish) http://defenterra.galeon.com/

No quarry at Escornalbou https://www.facebook.com/groups/187886

website (Spanish) http://alveolus.cat/

Gepec website (Spanish) http://gepec.cat/show_new.php?id=6


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