Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies






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Extraction of Inerts

The extraction of inert sites for construction and landfill along the coast, in particular sand, constitutes in the Azores, in addition to its economic and social importance, a technical and ecological concern, with serious implications for the protection of the coastline and the safety of port works. In addition to sand extraction, the extraction of lime and other types of inert from the coastline, for example for ornamental purposes, is licensed.

It is therefore necessary to protect the coastline by laying down rules for extraction and assessing impacts on the marine environment.

Legislation applicable:


— Regional Legislative Decree No. 9/2010/A of 8 March 2011 — Legal regime for the extraction of inert materials in the coastal and territorial sea, as amended and republished by Regional Legislative Decree No 31/2012/A of 6 July 2006.

— Licensing of inert extraction operations in the Sea of the Azores is subject to the payment of a fee as laid down in Order No 332/2013 of 20 February 2013.

The areas in which the commercial extraction of sea sand is permitted are defined in Government Council Resolution No 3/2014 of 15 January 2014.

— Ordonnance No 51/2013 of 10 July 2009, safeguards certain specific features concerning sites for the extraction of lime.