A public inquiry into the contentious proposal to establish a gold mine in a protected area of Co Tyrone is set to commence, with a significant divide between proponents and opponents of the project.
The proposal, spearheaded by the Canadian mining company Dalradian, has drawn considerable opposition due to its environmental and ecological implications. If approved, the plan would involve the construction of an underground gold mine, with a projected lifespan of 20 years, located in the heart of the Sperrin Mountains, near Omagh.
Dalradian intends to extract 3.5 million ounces of gold, 850,000 ounces of silver, and 15,000 tonnes of copper from the site, promising substantial economic benefits. The company claims the project will create at least 350 permanent jobs and provide a major boost to the local economy.
However, the mine’s location within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has led to concerns about the potential environmental impact. Environmental campaigners have raised objections over the visual impact of the development, its effects on local wildlife and ecology, and the protection of nearby rivers. In addition, there are worries about the increased traffic, noise, and dust that would accompany the project.
Dalradian has vowed to adhere to all environmental regulations, pledging that the mine’s design and operation will minimize its impact on the surrounding landscape and ecosystems. A major point of contention in the debate is the proposed mine waste facility. This facility would involve the construction of a large ridge made from up to 4.8 million cubic meters of crushed rock, spread across 28 hectares over the course of the project.
The company insists it will employ modern techniques, including extensive planting, to stabilize and conceal the waste facility to mitigate its environmental footprint.
Peter McKenna, Dalradian’s community relations manager, emphasized the company’s commitment to building an environmentally responsible project. “We’ve submitted extensive proposals to build a responsible project which will bring economic and social benefits to the local community,” he said.
On the other side, local campaigners, led by Emmet McAleer of the group Save Our Sperrins, are determined to halt the development. “This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is under threat from this proposed toxic development,” McAleer argued. “We want to protect our air, land, water, and the health of the people, as well as the area’s ecology and biodiversity.”
The inquiry, organized by Northern Ireland’s Planning Appeals Commission, will involve weeks of testimony covering a range of issues, from air quality and transportation to broader environmental concerns. Following the inquiry, a report will be compiled, and recommendations will be made to the Minister for Infrastructure at Stormont, currently Sinn Féin’s John O’Dowd, whose party is opposed to the mine.
Ultimately, it will be up to O’Dowd, as Minister, to decide whether the project moves forward.
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