Immediate stay order from the court for the Cerro do Meio quarry in Tavira

The Tavira Court ordered the immediate halt of activities at the Cerro do Meio quarry in the Luz de Tavira e Santo Estêvão region. According to the court decision reflected in the Portuguese press, a daily fine of 2,000 euros is expected to be imposed if the activity continues.

The Cerro do Meio quarry, located in the Tavira municipality of the Algarve, was restarted in 2025 after a break of approximately 12 years.

After the quarry started operating again, complaints from residents about noise, vibrations caused by blasting and air quality came to the fore.

According to the court decision cited by Correio da Manhã, the Tavira Court has now ordered the immediate halt of activities at the quarry.

The court took into account the rights of residents

It is reported that the court's decision, which was an injunction, concluded that the fundamental rights of the people living in the region were affected by the activities of the quarry.

During the process, complaints about noise and vibration created by blasting activities and air quality came to the fore.

Macário Correia, former Mayor of Tavira and current Chairman of the Board of Águas de Portugal, who lives in the region, evaluated the decision as a "victory" for the people of the region.

In the statements made by local people to the press, complaints are also expressed about the effects of blasting in the quarry on the surrounding life and wildlife.

These are the statements of the local residents; It should not be considered as an independent technical measurement result of the extent of environmental impact.

2,000 euros per day if the decision is not complied with

According to the decision reported by Correio da Manhã, a daily fine of 2,000 euros is expected to be imposed if the activities in the quarry are not stopped.

The company operating the quarry is Ourém-based Miner Blanc Lda. The company operates under Portuguese Grupo Verdasca.

The current decision of the court is regarding the suspension of activities in the quarry. Since there is no confirmed detail in the sources as to whether this means that the company's operating license has been permanently canceled or what legal remedies can be used against the decision, it is more accurate to use the phrase "it has been decided to stop the activities immediately" rather than saying "the quarry has been permanently closed" at this stage.

There is also a separate investigation into Grupo Verdasca

There is also a separate investigation conducted by Polícia Judiciária against Grupo Verdasca, to which the quarry is affiliated.

According to previous reports in the Portuguese press, the investigation is investigating suspicions related to environmental crimes and corruption.

However, this investigation and the current stay order issued by the Tavira Court regarding the Cerro do Meio quarry are not the same legal process.

Moreover, the existence of an investigation does not mean that a crime has been proven or that there has been a final conviction against the company or the people involved.

REVIEWED SOURCES

Portugal Resident — Natasha Donn, September 6, 2026 — main source shared by user; The news cites Correio da Manhã.

Correio da Manhã — September 6, 2026 — Source citing the decision of the Tavira Court regarding the Cerro do Meio quarry.

Sul Informação — September 6, 2026 — Court decision and residents' application regarding the suspension of activities at the Cerro do Meio quarry.

Postal do Algarve — September 6, 2026 — regional news on court decision, quarry restart and local reactions.