In its latest decision No. 36 issued on May 28, 2024, the government granted cement companies an “exceptional” one-year extension to continue extracting raw materials from their quarries. This decision, which came at the suggestion of the Ministers of Industry and Environment, claims to address the need for cement in the local market. However, in reality, it legalizes the depletion of natural resources and serves the interests of cement company owners, who are among the most prominent political and economic actors at the national level, due to their strong ties to political and religious authorities. The decision is just another chapter in the ongoing series of administrative extensions and renewals that has been going on for over 30 years. Since 1994, the state has made a habit of granting exceptions to the applicable laws for cement companies that operate unlicensed quarries, on the pretext of waiting for the preparation of regulatory plans for the extractive industries sector and the adoption of amendments to the decree regulating quarries and crushers (Decree 8803/2002), which where never produced. Granting an extension to unlicensed quarries is a clear violation of the law.

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