Granadilla de Abona Mining Expansion Sparks Local Tensions Over Health Concerns

Mining resource management in Granadilla de Abona has once again become a source of local tension. The Canary Islands’ General Directorate of Industry has officially opened a public consultation period regarding an application from Cement Investment, S.L. to expand its mining operations in Chimiche.

The company is seeking to include "excess areas"—land bordering its current concession—to align its site with updated mining regulations and modern geographic coordinate systems. This application will be open for public comment for 20 days.

However, the timing of this announcement has heightened political friction. The Granadilla de Abona City Council recently voted unanimously to ask the regional government to suspend operations at the Las Cármenes quarry. The council’s request follows ongoing complaints from residents regarding public health concerns.

The issue has moved beyond a simple administrative matter. Local groups, including the Vechisur association and families from the CEIP Virgen del Pilar school, have reported that dust and particles from the quarry are negatively affecting air quality in nearby homes and classrooms. In response, the local government is calling for a thorough study into the composition of these particles and their actual impact on the community.

The history of this mining site is complicated. After a 2019 extension was finalized in 2023, this new application for additional land has further strained the balance between legal mining rights and community well-being. As the Ministry of Industry reviews the application, the regional government faces the difficult task of addressing a situation that has become a major point of contention for local residents.

The technical documentation is currently available for review through the Mining Service and the regional government’s official website.