The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (Miteco) is currently reviewing a complaint from the Verdemar-Ecologists in Action group regarding the transport of riprap stone from quarries in the Sierra de la Utrera, in Casares (Malaga), to Gibraltar for land reclamation purposes.
This was confirmed to EFE by the president of the environmental group, Antonio Muñoz, who explained that both this ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and Cooperation are jointly addressing the information provided by his organisation.
Muñoz personally raised the issue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, during a meeting held earlier this week.
After investigating whether the new sea defence planned for Gibraltar, aimed at reclaiming land from the sea, would involve stones from these quarries, Verdemar confirmed this after tracking the trucks from the Sierra to Gibraltar.
The environmentalist explained that trucks transport these stones daily, travelling on the motorway, passing through the Cadiz municipality of San Roque, and finally arriving in Gibraltar.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition responded to Verdemar, according to a document obtained by EFE, regarding the riprap deliveries to Gibraltar, which are intended for deposition in the Special Conservation Area (ZEC) of the Eastern Strait.
The ministry noted that it has no record of any authorisation granted or informed by the central administration for occupying the maritime-terrestrial public domain in that area off Gibraltar's coast. Given that coastal management competencies have been transferred to the Andalusian regional government, they advised Verdemar to contact the appropriate agency within the Junta de Andalucía to inquire about any actions taken by the regional government.
Verdemar has already filed a complaint with the Junta de Andalucía, arguing that the large stones will be used for further land reclamation as part of the 'Eastside' project.
The group also reminded that the Sierra de la Utrera, the Manilva River, and their habitats, protected by European legislation—such as the Baños de la Hedionda—are "at risk." Furthermore, they highlighted the existence of significant archaeological sites in the area, indicating human presence during the Lower Palaeolithic period over 200,000 years ago.
The Sierra has 92 catalogued caves, 23 of which show signs of human occupation, with Mesolithic and Neolithic remains, as well as rock art. This is why the Subterranean System of the Hediondas was declared a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) in 2014.
Additionally, the archaeological site of Villavieja is also located in the area.