The quarry at Khor Khwair has caused local controversy because of adverse health effects reported by residents of the former small community located there. With a production capacity of 7,000 tonnes of stone per hour[3] and reserves of four billion tonnes, it is one of the world's largest such facilities. Quarrying operations in the area are monitored by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW): however, the government of Ras Al Khaimah is a shareholder in Stevin Rock, one of the largest quarries in the area.[4]