Arona Residents Decry Decade-Long "Mining" Project Amid Health, Home Damage Claims

For ten years, residents in Arona have been complaining about a large earthmoving project. What was approved as simple terracing work is now suspected by local officials to be mineral extraction. This has led to a debate about whether the activity is legal and properly controlled. Around 200 people living in three housing areas next to the site in Parque La Reina say their lives have been significantly disrupted.

These residents, living near Envolvente street where the 100,000-square-meter site is located, describe constant shaking, dust in the air, and the loud noise of heavy trucks starting early each morning. They say these problems, which have gone on for nearly a decade, have damaged their homes, causing floors to lift and tiles to come loose. The land itself is officially listed as rural and for farming, yet it's only a few meters from homes and the IES Montaña de Guaza school.

The company doing the work says it's simply preparing the land for farming and that the project is almost finished. They claim two companies are working on the site with all the necessary permits. They also argue that their license cannot be cancelled until the work is complete, at which point they will check if all rules have been followed. The company adds that they've taken more steps to reduce problems, like using more sprinklers to control dust. They've also planned the work closest to homes for the very end to lessen the disturbance.

Residents, however, are demanding that the work stop immediately. They also want more information and clarity about whether the project is legal and properly managed, given how much it affects their daily lives. They report that excavators and large trucks start operating at 7 AM, creating non-stop noise. The dust is so bad, they say it's like a constant haze, making it impossible to even hang clothes outside to dry. They stress that the problems go beyond just property damage; it's affecting people's health, with elderly residents suffering from constant headaches, and some families have even left their homes.

With no solutions in sight, formal complaints increased two years ago. Residents have filed reports with various authorities, including Arona City Council, the Ombudsman, the Diputación del Común, the Cabildo de Tenerife, and the Environmental Agency. They've also made individual and group complaints, gathering signatures. So far, residents say they haven't received any effective help.

Arona City Council's Urban Planning Councillor, Javier Baute, has admitted that the residents' complaints are valid, though he mentioned some "misinformation" about the situation. Baute explained that the terracing license was given to Marante Excavaciones in 2018, after the company confirmed it had all the required permits. This authorization was strictly for terracing. However, an investigation by his department now suggests that the work being done is actually a form of mining, going beyond the four-meter height limit allowed for earthworks.

The councillor clarified that the city council isn't the right authority to penalize this kind of activity. He said the reports they've gathered will be sent to the General Directorate of Industry and Mines, which is part of the Canary Islands Government. Despite this, Baute noted that the City Council is looking into whether they can suspend the license because of environmental damage, a step they believe is possible.