LISTEN: Plans for Tyrone gold mine subject of public inquiry

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By Q Radio News.

Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has confirmed that the planning application for the Dalradian mine project will be the subject of an independent Public Inquiry (PI).

Plans for the mine at Greencastle were originally submitted by Dalradian in 2017 but the company revised its application last year ditching plans to use cyanide as part of the extraction process.

Opponents want the entire project shelved, but the company claims the mountains could contain £3 billion worth of gold.

Minister Mallon said: “The planning application for the Dalradian Gold Mine project at Greencastle, County Tyrone was submitted to the Department in November 2017.

"Revised proposals including the complete removal of cyanide from any part of the application process were received in September 2019.

"The application has proved to be complex and in excess of 40,000 representations have now been submitted to my Department about the mine proposal. The planning application includes an assessment of the potential socio-economic and environmental impacts by a wide range of expert consultees.  

Nichola Mallon

"Before any decision is taken I consider it important to have a Public Inquiry and report which has independently considered the views of stakeholders, including the local community and other Government Departments, and which will robustly scrutinise the information provided by all interested parties.   

"Once I am satisfied that all necessary detail and consultee responses have been provided I will move to call the Public Inquiry to allow for robust scrutiny of the application in a public forum.”

A spokesperson for Dalradian said;

"We welcome the news that the Infrastructure Minister plans to call a public inquiry into our planning application for an underground gold, silver and copper mine in County Tyrone. 

Peter McKenna, Dalradian’s Community Relations Manager.

"We believe this is a key milestone in the planning process of a regionally significant project which will be a major economic opportunity for Northern Ireland. The inquiry will provide a further forum in which to engage on the facts of the project and to hear from all stakeholders.

"To date, we have engaged in almost 100 meetings with the regulatory authorities to ensure that we have designed a world class operation to meet and exceed environmental regulations.

"Our current progress towards becoming a carbon neutral company is testament to our long term commitments and aligns with the Executive's target of net zero emissions by 2050.

"The project will see the creation of some 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during the mine’s 20-25 year life.

"To date, we have invested over £130 million in Northern Ireland since 2009 and believe our project supports rural communities and regional development and is a commitment that will be delivered regardless of Brexit.

"The construction phase alone will generate 300 jobs with a capital spend of £175 million and will leverage the skills and experience of local building contractors.

"Our supply chain expenditure will support the key manufacturing companies of Northern Ireland who are currently under considerable pressure arising from the pandemic.

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