The Tavira court ordered the company Miner Blanc to close "immediately and permanently" the "Cerro do Meio" quarry, located in the Union of Parishes of Luz de Tavira and Santo Estêvão. The decision was made within the framework of a "special personality rights protection lawsuit" filed by a group of local residents, who requested the total closure of the quarry's activity, which had been suspended since 2013 and resumed in 2025.
The court considered that the company failed to comply with the conditions to which the resumption of activity was subject, such as watering the dirt roads, using only one crusher, or using explosives sparingly and with prior authorization. According to the court ruling, the quarry's activity proved to be "seriously disruptive" to the personality rights of the plaintiffs, namely their rights to health, rest, and a human living environment that is healthy and ecologically balanced.
The sentence also ordered Miner Blanc to pay the plaintiffs two thousand euros for each day of non-compliance with the decision, once it becomes final. The court also considered it proven that vibrations and earth movements in the area can damage a water supply pipeline.
Macário Correia, former mayor of Tavira and Faro and one of the affected residents, stated that 25 families were living with "daily panic" due to noise and dust. The resident criticized the company's posture, describing it as "deeply aggressive" and disrespectful of people, also referring to a history of violations and situations where people were followed and insulted in the vicinity of the quarry. The company was not contacted for comment.
