Concerns Raised Over Gold Mine Proposal in County Tyrone
Campaigners have expressed concerns that public health and the environment could be jeopardized if plans for a gold mine in County Tyrone receive approval.
The Save Our Sperrins group made these statements as a public inquiry into Dalradian's proposal for the mine resumed in Omagh on Monday.
Details of the Mining Project
Dalradian intends to extract approximately 100 tonnes of gold, nearly 50 tonnes of silver, and 15,000 tonnes of copper from the site near Greencastle, County Tyrone.
The company has previously stated that its proposals aim to "build an environmentally responsible project which will bring economic and social benefits right across our local community."
Inquiry Background and Campaign Group
The inquiry had been suspended twice before, in 2024 and 2025.
The Save Our Sperrins group, established in 2015 to oppose the mining proposal, gathered at the Strule Arts Centre for the inquiry's resumption.
"We've been doing it for 10 years, so eight weeks [of the inquiry] is nothing now," said the group's treasurer, Fidelma O'Kane.
"It'll be great to see an end to it.
"We are concerned about the water, the air, the land and the health, things that are basic to our survival.
"That's whats important, it's not about money for people in America or Canada, or profits for businesses.
"This is part of us - we live in the Sperrins, we love the Sperrins and we want it to be safe for our grandchildren and future generations to live there."
The group's chairperson, Marella Fyffe, emphasized their commitment, stating they were making "a stand for community, a stand for what matters, a stand for culture."
"We'll go to wherever the road takes us," she added.
Economic Impact and Project Amendments
Dalradian has indicated that the project would create and support up to 1,000 jobs and contribute £5 billion (£4.1 billion) to the Northern Ireland economy.
The application for the mine was initially submitted in 2017 and later amended in 2019 to exclude the use of cyanide.
Former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon requested the planning inquiry in 2021.
Inquiry Complexity and Procedural Issues
The inquiry has been described as unprecedented in its complexity and scale.
It was suspended after just two-and-a-half days in January 2025 when it was revealed that the Department for Infrastructure had breached its own regulations by failing to notify the Irish government and Donegal County Council about the application.
Early in Monday's opening session, it was noted that no representatives from any Irish state bodies were attending the inquiry.
Commissioner Jackie McParland confirmed that all state bodies had been invited to participate.
Inquiry Schedule and Scope
The inquiry is scheduled to sit for at least 21 days over the next eight to ten weeks.
It will examine a wide range of issues, including cultural and heritage considerations, waste management, landscape, climate, transport, and socio-economic factors.
