Investigations by the Environment and Resources Authority following reports of illegal excavations at a new construction landfill close to the Mnajdra temples have drawn a blank, the Times of Malta is informed.
The regulator, however, made it clear that a mobile crusher on site, which was closed down in 1994 due to its negative impact on the foundations of the megalithic temples, could only be used to crush inert waste for compacting purposes.
After receiving anonymous information that a hydraulic hammer was spotted in operation at the Siġġiewi landfill, the Times of Malta contacted ERA to check the veracity of the reports. The regulator said investigations by its officials “provided no evidence of ongoing excavation work”.
Asked if crushed aggregate from the site could be used for construction purposes outside of the quarry, ERA said that was not the intention when allowing a mobile crusher there.
The compaction by the crusher is deemed to be more appropriate
“The crusher is only allowed on site to reduce the size of stones accepted at this quarry specifically for the restoration of the quarry,” a spokeswoman said.
“The compaction by means of the crusher is deemed to be more appropriate, as it effectively stabilises the material and allows more volume to be backfilled when compared to the traditional dumping methods,” she added.
ERA issued a permit for the Tal-Magħluq quarry to be used as a construction landfill in just three days. However, the spokeswoman insisted it conducted all necessary studies and consultations before giving the green light and that no pressure was applied by the Environment Ministry.
The Sunday Times of Malta reported that ERA had issued a permit to Tum Invest to manage the Tal-Magħluq landfill as a site for the disposal of construction waste following a blunder by the Environment Minister, who went on TVM to announce that the Siġġiewi quarry – a solution for the dumping of excavated waste – was to be managed directly by WasteServ.
In what turned out to be an embarrassing operation, WasteServ and their contractors, T & C Ciappara Construction, were ordered to “get out” of the private property by the owners of the quarry – Lapsi Estates, which belongs to the Mizzi Group, and Silvan Fenech of Tum Invest – which entered into a private agreement to manage the landfill.
Heavy machinery on site sent by WasteServ had to be escorted out by the police.
In order to save face, the Environment Ministry pressed for an ERA permit to be granted to the private owners to start operating the landfill as soon as possible, sources said.
Government sources said Environment Minister José Herrera was “furious” when he was informed of what was happening, as “it was clear he was given the wrong information and advice by WasteServ”.
According to ERA, it is estimated that the backfilling operation at the quarry will last one year.
It is not yet known where construction waste will be dumped once the Tal-Magħluq quarry reaches full capacity.