14 Lignite mining: 53. Regarding the transport and storage of lignite, the Government states that the conveyor belts in the points that are not closed usually operate without cover and humidification on account of the high rate of humidity and the size of the pieces transported. In contrast, it maintains that protective measures regarding the transport of crushed lignite and fly ash have already been introduced, such as closed conveyor belts close to Ptolemais and Megalopolis, or will be by 2006, as in the case of closed conveyor belts close to residential areas such as Klitos. 54. The Government states that the depositing of asbestos cement waste has only been authorised in the depleted Kardia mine in Kozani, under joint ministerial decision 124528/07.05.2004, and takes into consideration all the requirements of national and European legislation. It considers that this initiative demonstrates the commitment of the state and the DEH to appropriate and effective waste management. 55. The Government adds that, in accordance with IPPC environmental permits (see below), in western Macedonia and Megalopolis the DEH has systematically embarked on programmes to rehabilitate land as it becomes exhausted, so that it can be used for agriculture or forestry or for other purposes such as tree planting, restoring the local flora and fauna and experimental cultivation. So far, such programmes have affected 6 800 hectares of mining areas, out of a total of 23 200 hectares. Eventually, once the mines have been exhausted, it is planned to rehabilitate the entire surface area, or even more. Lignite-fired power stations: 56. Firstly, in connection with the licensing of power stations, the Government considers that the MFHR fails to distinguish between the procedure for authorising power stations to operate and the environmental authorisation procedure in Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (the IPPC directive), which have separate objectives and are quite distinct. 57. The object of the former, which was the basis for issuing the Kardia, Aghios Dimitrios and Ptolemaida power plants with a temporary joint operating permit, is to ensure the continued production and supply of electricity to the public, in accordance with the DEH's legal obligations under Acts 1468/1950 and 2773/1999, for example in the event of extended administrative proceedings. The Government emphasises the significant damage that could ensue for the entire population if these operating licences were not issued in good time. 58. The aim of the second procedure is to ensure that each unit satisfies all the environmental criteria and that electricity production has the minimum possible impact on the neighbouring population. In Greece as in other EU countries this is a slow procedure. Approval of the environmental criteria is on a temporary basis and by ministerial order, so that these criteria can be revised to take account of national and European technical and legal developments. According to the Government, IPPC environmental permits have been issued for the Kardia, Ptolemaida and Megalopolis B power stations while procedures relating to the others - Megalopolis A, Amynteon and Aghios Dimitrios - are under way.