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Unauthorized Quarrying Costs Lebanon Over $2B, Says Environment Ministry

Lebanon has lost approximately $2.39 billion due to unregulated and unlawful quarrying activities, according to a recent study by the Ministry of Environment. The study, conducted in partnership with the United Nations Development Program and published by the National News Agency, suggests that well-regulated quarrying could bolster revenue for the economically strained country.

The study further highlighted that integrated management of Lebanon’s natural resources, including its quarries, is crucial for sustainable development and the protection of the nation’s natural heritage.

Environment Minister Nasser Yassin regards the study as a significant step in garnering much-needed income from a sector historically plagued by corruption and illicit enrichment. This finding brings into focus the broader economic implications of unregulated industrial practices, stressing the importance of resource management in recovering Lebanon’s crisis-hit economy.