Public inquiry set to take place into Co Tyrone gold mine

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.

“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.”

Dalradia say the proposed mine at the Curraghinalt gold deposit will “open a new chapter of economic development” for NI and Co Tyrone. It said the mine will be designed, built and operated using the latest technology and in accordance with global best practices and the most stringent regulatory standards.