Coal transportation around the northern, coastal city of Santa Marta was suspended on Wednesday, due to dust emissions affecting the community.
The environmental authority of Santa Marta, Magdalena imposed the ban after inhabitants living in the east of the city complained about respiratory illnesses caused by the dust left by coal transportation vehicles coming from coal mines in the northern Cesar and La Guajira departments.
The suspension will remain in place until transportation firms install protection systems and covers on vehicles to prevent the dust from contaminating the area.
Transportation firms will also have to clean the affected zones.
The coal transport companies affected are: Sanchez Polo y Cia Ltda., Xira Investments Inc. Colombia, and Carbones y Transporte Trayso Ltda. They reportedly transport coal from Colombia’s largest coalmine, Cerrejon, in La Guajira and the Jagua mine in the Cesar department.
Sources
- Suspenden transporte de carbón en Santa Marta (Radio Caracol)
- Dadma ordeno suspender transporte de carbon en zona urbana de Santa Marta (Radio Santa Fe)
