Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has launched a central control room in Al Dhaid in the emirate of Sharjah for the telemonitoring of quarry operations and crusher works across the UAE.

The move aims to promote environmental sustainability through verifying the compliance of all relevant facilities with legislations as part of the Ministerial Decree No. 567 of 2014 regulating the installation, management and operation of quarries and crushers in the UAE.

Using a state-of-the-art monitoring system for industrial facilities, the control room enables the Ministry to monitor various aspects of the operations, including ambient air quality and noise levels, through remote cameras and other surveillance devices with superior accuracy and clarity.

Targeting multiple facilities at a time, the system minimizes effort and saves hours of work. Furthermore, it simplifies annual audits of the operations and helps ensure that all workers observe occupational health and safety requirements. Other functions include quick flagging of environmental violations, such as excessive emissions of exhaust fumes from equipment and vehicles or dust from roads and operational areas to ensure compliance with the highest environmental standards.

Distinguished guests at the inauguration ceremony in Al Dhaid included officials from the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, Municipality and Planning Department – Ajman and Fujairah Natural Resource Corporation. Representatives of the Department of Environmental Audit at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment also attended the event.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said: "In line with the government directives to safeguard environmental sustainability and implement fully integrated infrastructure, and in a bid to consolidate its leading innovator status at the local and global levels, the Ministry adopts best practices in various environmental areas. In collaboration with our strategic partners, we have implemented cutting-edge technology for remote monitoring of quarry operations and crusher works with the aim of protecting the environment as well as ensuring public health and safety."

As part of the 2017-2021 Operational Plan, the Department of Environmental Audit, and in coordination with local authorities, at the Ministry will continue to inspect quarries, crushers and cement factories on a monthly basis. In addition, the Ministry is working on the implementation of a special program that includes workshops and training courses to enhance the capacities of personnel employed at local authorities that are engaged in monitoring industrial facilities.