UAE: Ras Al Khaimah hit by cement plant emissions

The Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA), has launched an investigation into dust clouds and emsisions from the Ras Al Khaimah cement factory following observations of Khor Khuweir residents. A number of staff inspectors were dispatched to the site where they extensively studied the reasons behind the sudden and unexpected emissions, according to  Dr Saif Al Ghais, EPDA director. Initial investigations point to a technical fault in the factory, Dr Ghais disclosed.

Staff inspectors reported that the technical fault had resulted in the accumulation of a large amount of dust in the factory’s filters.

The EPDA has instructed the unnamed plant operators to conduct an internal investigation and submit a detailed report on the incidents. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment had earlier ordered a one-month closure of a cement factory in the same Khor Khuweir area for disregarding rules and regulations.

All quarries and cement factories in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah have recently been put under tighter surveillance with a new system that remotely monitors their activities in real-time. Dr Ghais said the system, which operates round the clock, consists of a number of cameras covering 20 quarries and six cement factories. This measure will help curb all anti-environment violations, with 13 out of 33 quarries in the emirate having to cease operations after failing to meet the new stringent environment standards.