Calls at council to oppose gold mine security costs

A CALL to oppose the provision of police security services for mining companies in West Tyrone prompted a lively debate at Fermanagh & Omagh District Council recently.

Proposing a motion on the issue, Cllr Emmet McAleer, Independent said, “A decision that gold mining companies will be given all security cover by the PSNI at public expense, is nothing short of outrageous.”

Back in 2016, it was widely-reported that the PSNI had spent £500,000 in less than a year policing the site of a proposed gold mine and processing plant close to Greencastle, operated by another Canadian firm, Dalradian.

More recently, it emerged that a mining company operating outside Omagh is to be reimbursed more than £150,000 it paid to the PSNI for policing services linked to the handling of explosives.

Canadian firm Galantas, which owns the open pit gold mine in Cavanacaw, will be handed back a total of £152,416, plus VAT, after the PSNI admitted it was wrong to charge for supervising the handling of explosives at its site several miles from Omagh.

Warning against taking police away from existing duties while already stretched to the limit, Cllr McAleer stated, “This will feed into the perception that police are working for the mining companies, rather than the general public. Let’s demand this travesty is exposed and reversed.”

Independent councillor, Josephine Deehan said she was “truly horrified” to learn Dalradian had not honoured the costs of policing and security.

“These mining companies are about making profits and the government supports them, but to this extent I certainly do not agree. Security costs must be met by the companies,” she added.

However Cllr John McClaughry, Ulster Unionist was opposed stating, “The PSNI has a statutory obligation to supervise the use of explosives and many tonnes are moved to sites daily.

“The vast majority of quarries are family-owned businesses employing local people…

“If the PSNI redesignate explosives escorts as special service, a bill of at least £3,000 per blast would destroy these businesses, leaving hundreds of jobs in jeopardy.”

Speaking for Sinn Fein, Cllr Padrigene Kelly said while they supported the principles of the motion, they were abstaining after an amendment placing responsibility with the PSNI and Policing Board was rejected.

DUP councillor, Mark Buchannan, commented, “The PSNI are not there to decide whether mining or any other enterprise is good or bad, but to make sure the law is upheld.

“Whether someone approves or disapproves of these (mining) operations, they are within the law.”

The matter went to a vote which was defeated 9 to 5, with seven members abstaining.