EXPLOTACIÓN DE CANTERAS EN LA COSTA DE KENITRA Y SU ÁREA DE INFLUENCIA: ESTUDIO DE IMPACTO AMBIENTAL

Abstract

Extraction of building material, especially those that are used to make the clusters used in civil engineering, construction and public works, is widespread in the region of Kenitra, and are mainly concentrated along the dunes between Kenitra and Moulay Bousselham. The extractive industry is characterized by exploiting a little simply not renewable. Moreover, its preservation requires detailed knowledge of the various existing mines as well as those potentially exploitable, as well as their degree of vulnerability to inappropriate use. It requires a thorough study of existing quarries and minig, to identify environmental limits and drawing guidelines in order to define rational and economical use of clusters. The development of the northern region and the implementation of key projects in the management of infrastructure and superstructure, such as circumnavigating the Mediterranean port of Tanger-Med, the Tanger-Larache highway, the construction of the city of Al Hoceima and tourist areas such as we can find in the city of Saaidia, have resulted in an increased demand for building materials, which continues increasing at the level of the entire region. This need is certainly important but at the same time increasing, and may result in an abuse, not according to laws. This mining activity, due to the lack of appropriate tools for monitoring and management nor a plan that takes into account the available resources and ecosystems and sensitive natural environments, may be causing damage that can affect both the environment and socioeconomy. This paper faces the performance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the quarries in the region of Kenitra. Its purpose is to ensure that active quarries, either abandoned or to be opened in the future, will not cause any significant or irreversible damage to the local/regional environment. Considering the large number of existing quarries, the impacts that may result and generally grouped situation, this study is designed to identify potential risks caoused by the the overall effects from mining and quarries as a whole as well as an specific level. This study includes a description of the groups of quarries belonging to the study area, a description of the environmental conditions of the area and, finally, an identification of the impacts caused by these quarries on the environment.