Geological tests are currently being carried out in Zonqor Point in Marsascala, this newspaper has learnt.

The Malta Independent is informed that the core drilling tests are being carried out on land owned by the Sadeen group but which is still being used for agricultural purposes.

The Sadeen group will, in the coming months, start construction on the larger campus of the controversial American University of Malta.

PN councillor and Front Harsien ODZ member Charlot Cassar uploaded the above picture to Facebook this afternoon. He said the Local Council was not told why the tests were being carried out or whether these “core cutting” tests were covered by a permit.

Originally planned as a 90,000 square meter campus in Marsascala, entirely on ODZ land, the AUM project was subsequently scaled down and split between Zonqor and Dock Nr 1 in Cospicua.

Under the new plans the size of the Zonqor campus has gone down to 31,000 square meters – 18,000 square metres of ODZ land will be taken up for the project.

Works at the Dock 1 site are moving fast but the ‘drilling’ tests at Zonqor are the first sign of works in that area.