Chamber and Dalradian launch ‘Meet the Buyer’

Chamber member, Dalradian, has submitted a planning application to build an underground, gold-silver-copper mine which is now moving through the final stages of the official planning process.

The proposed mine is set to create a new industry for Northern Ireland, generate some 1,000 new jobs and inject £750 million into the local economy and supply chain.

The virtual, online event will showcase the wide range of supplier opportunities open to local Northern Ireland businesses and community within the proposed underground mine, anticipated to be in construction in 2022.

The project is set to benefit the local community and boost the economy while respecting the environment.

To-date Dalradian have spent £135 million advancing the project and have worked with 470 suppliers in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

They have a supply chain of £750 million over the 20-25 year project life, making it the biggest private sector investment west of the Bann in recent years, with opportunities during construction and operations.

Modern mining is required to be supported by a diverse range of suppliers and contractors and opportunities exist for everything from IT and automation to accounting, legal, Human Resources, office equipment to laboratory supplies.

Construction, heavy equipment, conveyors, fencing, furniture, fuel, water treatment, security, health and safety equipment, environmental consulting and testing equipment and engineering are also a huge part of the immense project, and Dalradian are keen to get the right people for the jobs, hugely benefiting the local economy.

Highlighting the importance of the partnership Brian Kelly, Managing Director of Dalradian said he was ‘pleased to be in the final stages of planning and ready to begin construction next year’.

He explained: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Belfast Chamber on this virtual event which offers an opportunity for local businesses to learn about the broad range of suppliers the mine will use and how they can connect with us as a potential future supplier.

“We’ve been working on the Curraghinalt gold-silver-copper deposit since late 2009 and are pleased to be in the final stages of planning and ready to begin construction next year.

“We are keen to ensure local businesses benefit from the project as much as possible and can grow with us.

“We want to see the local community benefit from the mine - to-date over £800,000 of funding has been provided to more than 400 local community groups.

“We have also pledged to donate a minimum of £4 million Community Funding in the future.

“Right now, I encourage anyone within any of the sectors listed above from IT to construction, to HR to legal to sign up to this free event and learn how we might work together.”

Speaking about the initiative and the ‘fantastic opportunity to learn about the opportunities and contracts available at Dalradian’, Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive at Belfast Chamber continued: “This event will offer both Chamber members and non-members a fantastic opportunity to learn about the opportunities and contracts available at Dalradian over the coming years.

“Dalradian are pioneers in their field and their project will create a new industry for Northern Ireland, generate much needed jobs and inject a huge amount of money into the local supply chain.”

Encouraging local business to register for the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, Simon concluded: “We wish them every success with their future plans and encourage sign-up to the event as soon as possible.”

To register now for the online Belfast Chamber ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in partnership with Dalradian Gold on Tuesday, March 30 at 11am simply go to www.belfastchamber.com.

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