Apede rejects underwater sand mining operations

The Association of Business Managers (Apede) He spoke about the underwater sand mining operations being developed on the Costa Arriba de Colón.

The Province of Colon, Its Costa Arriba, in particular, currently has an important tourist offer for the province and the country, as well as great potential for further tourism development, the business union warned.

Non-metal mining operations near coastal areas, national parks, communities and tourism businesses create negative impacts on people, marine species and beaches, as well as the local economy.

In the past, concessions for this type of extraction were granted by the competent authorities in areas such as Punta Chame and the sector of the Las Perlas archipelago, with disastrous consequences that can still be seen today; eroded areas and reduction of the beach belt.

The business union also referred to the work of quarries in the Tierra Altas region of Chiriquí.

Request for approval of quarry operations in the region Highlands in the province of ChiriquíNor does it create an adequate framework for this region of the country to satisfactorily overcome the climate devastation it has suffered in recent years and which is still recovering. This part of the country has been declared a tourist destination and
it requires conservation and increase of natural resources.

Quarry activity can wreak havoc on the environment and affect the flora and fauna of the region, harming productive areas, citizens and communities that have already suffered severe damage from weather and flooding, he added.

The business union called Ministry of Environmental Protection and Ministry of Trade and Industry, in order to review concessions, licenses and/or permits that have been issued for this type of activity in areas of great tourist and production potential.

He extended the call to National Agency for Tourism exercise a greater supervisory role, ensuring the protection of the tourist offer.

“APEDE is characterized by ensuring the interests of not only private companies, the development of our communities and tourism, but also the overall interests of the country, which is why we appeal to the authorities to pay attention to these events that could affect tourism in Croatia. the province of Colón, the development of the Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, and thus the country,” he said.