DHAHAB: The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has threatened to close down the Kingdom's largest mine if evidence is found connecting its operations with the high levels of pollution found in the region's soil, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported Thursday. The PME also says it has not given the company approval for operating the mine. The Mahd Al-Dhahab mine, located to the southeast of Madina, has been the focus of criticism after research revealed high levels of pollution in the area. A lawsuit brought by 20,000 local inhabitants against the company running the mine was recently dismissed by the Administrative Court in Jeddah. The PME says that it is still considering the company's request to conduct mining activity at Mahd Al-Dhahab. “If PME discovers any health violation on the part of the company it will seal off the mine immediately,” said Samir Jameel, Deputy President of the environment protection body. “The company should have made environmental surveys before starting its operations.” Jameel said the company is now conducting its own studies on the safety of its activities and that PME will “act on the results”.
