The Government has published its summary of responses to the consultation on the management of waste from extractive industries (the 'Mining Waste Directive').

The RICS is disappointed that the government has chosen to proceed with the Environmental Permitting Programme for implementing the directive and chosen to use the Environment Agency as the principal competent authority for administering most of the requirements of the directive.

In the view of the RICS, the hybrid option offers the best means for transposing the directive and the local mineral planning authority is the most appropriate authority for administering most of the requirements of the directive.

RICS had responded to the consultation on 11th April. The key issues for the RICS of this directive were:

- The hybrid option offers the best means for transposing the directive;

- Adoption of the Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) would create additional administrative and financial burdens for mineral operators without any discernible benefits; and

- The Minerals Planning Authority (MPA) would be the most appropriate authority for administering most of the requirements of the directive.

Download the RICS position in full from the Word Downloads panel on the right hand side of this page.

For more information contact: Damian Cleghorn