The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources has issued a stop work order on the extraction of river gravel undertaken by contractors Zhao-rufu and Suliasi Dolesau in Waibau, Naitasiri.
The ministry says the order was issued after the identification of illegal river gravel extraction and a breach of conditions of the I-Taukei Lands Trust Board license for extractions of gravel from the surface of Itaukei land.
The illegal operation was continuing without the proper license and breached conditions of the approved Environment Impact Assessment, whereby crushers and screens are not to be in the water.
The ministry also highlighted that personnel were not adhering to occupational health and safety requirements and the absence of a Quarryman during crushing and inadequate monthly tally record report submission of extracted volumes to the Department for proper calculation of royalties to State.
The Ministry adds that they will not take such activities lightly as this amounts to theft of state resources if it is being illegally extracted.
