Audit Office report on Cyprus mines and quarries identifies regulatory failures

The Audit Office of Cyprus released report EE-EY 11/2026, which evaluates the progress of the Mines and Quarries Service in implementing recommendations made in a 2019 audit. The report highlights significant ongoing failures, noting that of 29 quarry development applications submitted between 2020 and 2023, only 14 were processed, leaving 15 pending. Auditors identified gaps in legislative compliance, failures in collecting quarry fees, and deficiencies in guarantee management. Environmental concerns were raised regarding the proposed Androlikou quarry zone and potential impacts on protected species, such as the Egyptian fruit bat. There are currently 132 registered quarries, with 18 undergoing restoration. Additionally, there is an urgent demand for approximately 1.6 million cubic meters of rock for infrastructure and port projects across Cyprus. While some minor administrative improvements have been noted, the service largely failed to adopt previous recommendations. The report emphasizes the need for stricter environmental protection and transparency in natural resource management.