The Fujairah Natural Resources Authority continues to consolidate an integrated model for sustainable mining through an advanced framework of legislation, oversight, innovation, and strategic partnerships, in line with the vision of the wise leadership to achieve sustainable economic development that preserves the environment and natural resources and supports the United Arab Emirates' sustainable development targets.
Through its initiatives and specialised programmes, the authority has succeeded in strengthening Fujairah's position as a leading regional hub in the sustainable mining sector by adopting best international practices and developing its operational framework to meet the requirements of the future.
Engineer Ali Qasim Al Kindi, Director General of the Fujairah Natural Resources Authority, said in an exclusive statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the authority continues to implement a comprehensive strategy for applying sustainability principles across all mining activities. The strategy is based on developing the regulatory systems and legislation governing the sector in accordance with best international practices, strengthening environmental oversight of quarries and crushers, and ensuring compliance with environmental requirements.
He explained that the authority is implementing a range of initiatives supporting national sustainability goals, the UAE's vision for the future, and the Fujairah Plan 2040, as well as encouraging innovation and embedding corporate social responsibility through specialised awards and incentive programmes.
The Fujairah Natural Resources Authority relies on a set of indicators to measure the efficiency of companies operating in the sector, covering the level of compliance with environmental, health, and occupational safety requirements; reduction of emissions and dust generated by mining and crushing operations; improved efficiency in resource and energy consumption; increased adoption of modern technologies and digital systems; and better rates of compliance with regulatory requirements and licences, in addition to encouraging participation in sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives and awards.
The authority has achieved notable accomplishments in the field of environmental protection at quarries and crushers through the establishment and development of integrated environmental monitoring programmes and the adoption of the latest devices for monitoring air quality, noise, and vibrations, thereby helping to reduce the environmental impact of mining activities.
The authority launched the Fujairah International Award for Best Sustainable Mining Practices — the first of its kind in the Middle East — with the aim of motivating companies to adopt innovative environmental solutions and embed the concept of sustainable mining within the sector's policies and procedures in the emirate.
In a related context, the strategic partnerships concluded by the authority have contributed to supporting environmental sustainability by strengthening scientific and technical cooperation in the fields of earth sciences and mineral resource development, exchanging expertise and best international practices in environmental management and sustainable mining, raising companies' awareness of the importance of adopting environmentally friendly practices through the