Dalradian reveals its ‘responsible business’ report

Dalradian has published its first Responsible Business Report detailing the company’s business, strategy, activities and performance during 2019 in a number of areas, including the environment and support for its local community in Tyrone.

The report marks the end of Dalradian’s first decade working in Northern Ireland, where its staff of 40 continue to advance the company’s planning application for an underground gold-copper-silver mine.

The report, which is available at www.dalradian.com/about-dalradian, includes key metrics and case studies that illustrate Dalradian’s long-term, responsible approach to modern mining.

As part of its environmental activity the report noted that during 2019 Dalradian recycled or reused 83% of waste. There were 686 internal and external environmental inspections, no instances of environmental non-compliance and 731 tonnes of carbon emissions were offset through accredited international projects.

Other highlights included the award of Carbon Footprint Standard – Assessed for 2019 as part of the company’s plans to become Europe’s first net zero / carbon neutral mine and environmental enhancements to the project which removed the proposed use of cyanide in processing and reduced water demand by 30%. In 2019 Dalradian celebrated four years with no Lost Time Incidents as a result of a strong focus on health and safety.

Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian’s President and CEO, said: “This initial Responsible Business report marks the end of our first decade in Northern Ireland. We understand that our long-term success depends on sharing the benefits of the project with the community and keeping the environment healthy. That’s why our project has been designed to visually fit into the local rural area and uses the latest technologies to protect the environment.

“We have built the foundation for a new industry in Northern Ireland that will usher in a generation or more of economic stimulus, training for local people, the creation of nearly 1,000 direct and indirect new jobs, environmental responsibility and community investment.

The report also highlighted Dalradian’s economic and social impact. To date Dalradian his invested £130m and used 470 suppliers from Northern Ireland, including 43 from the neighbouring villages of Greencastle, Rouskey and Gortin. Between 2015-2019 £500,000 was donated to 320 local community groups, 21 college students were supported with bursaries through South West College and 35 paid internships have been completed.

Brian Kelly, Dalradian’s MD, added: “Since operations began in 2010, we have prioritised environmental and social responsibility and considered that our performance should be transparent and measurable. This inaugural Responsible Business report builds upon those commitments and is the first of many to provide an annual public assessment of how effectively we are delivering against our objectives in these crucial areas.

“In addition to the community and the environment, we are also committed to becoming one of Tyrone’s leading employers and in 2019 we received an Investors in People accreditation. This was in recognition of 3,000 hours of training and wellness programmes provided over the past year.

“Although this report covers 2019, I would like to acknowledge the huge adjustments society has made and is still making this year due to Covid-19. Our employees, suppliers and local community have worked together in ways that are truly inspiring to help those impacted by the virus and to support frontline workers. That ethos shows what we can achieve when we work together.”

In November 2020 Dalradian submitted a package of Further Environmental Information (the second Addendum to the Environmental Statement) to the Department for Infrastructure (DfI), completing another step in the planning process for its application to build an underground mine.

Earlier this year the DfI Minister, Nichola Mallon, announced her intention to hold a Public Inquiry on the planning application which has been welcomed by Dalradian.

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