The Tyrone gold mine should already be operating fully, putting much needed money into the local economy

While I welcome the decision by the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to refer the planning application for a controversial gold mine in Co Tyrone to be the subject of an independent public inquiry.
Inside the tunnels at Dalradian’s Co Tyrone siteInside the tunnels at Dalradian’s Co Tyrone site
Inside the tunnels at Dalradian’s Co Tyrone site

While I welcome the decision by the Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to refer the planning application for a controversial gold mine in Co Tyrone to be the subject of an independent public inquiry.

It saddens me that so much precious time has been wasted since I personally invited David Cameron to visit the site back in 2016.

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Dalradian has argued the mine will bring economic benefits and is one of the largest gold resources in Europe. The stream of gold bearing rock is estimated at ten times the level to break even for underground mining.

Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

It claims the mountains could contain £3 billion in gold and provide a £750 million boost to the Northern Ireland economy.

This public inquiry is just another example of how broken our political system is here, further time delays, well paid legal representations all because our politicians lack political backbone when it comes to difficult decisions, just pass the buck and get the public purse to pay for it.

Frankly this mine should have been in fully operation here today turning out gold ingots and putting much needed money back into our local economy.

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Roger Lomas, Chairman, Fermanagh and Tyrone Conservative Associations

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