Minister requests public inquiry into Greencastle mine

THE Infrastructure Minister has requested a public inquiry into the controversial Dalradian Gold Mine project near Greencastle.

Nichola Mallon said: “In June 2020 I announced that the Dalradian Gold Mine project at Greencastle, County Tyrone would be the subject of an independent Public Inquiry. I am now satisfied that sufficient detail, consultee responses and representations have been provided to allow for robust scrutiny of the application in a public forum and that we should move as soon as practicable to the Public Inquiry phase in processing this application.

“I have therefore directed that my officials formally request a Public Inquiry to be held by the Commission. The Inquiry will consider a number of related applications including the gold mine minerals planning application and the two associated power line applications. It will also consider the proposed abandonment of the Crockanboy Road, known locally as the ‘Green Road’. “The handling of the Public Inquiry phase will be a matter for the Commission which will include providing all parties with the arrangements.

“Once the inquiry is completed I will carefully consider the findings of the Inquiry before reaching a decision.”

Dalradian has said they welcome the decision by the Minister for Infrastructure, to refer it’s application the gold-silver-copper mine to a public local inquiry with the Planning Appeals Commission.

They said , “the inquiry is a standard stage toward the end of the planning process for regionally significant projects.”

Welcoming today’s decision Patrick F.N. Anderson, CEO of Dalradian Gold, said:

“This is a major step forward in the planning process, providing an opportunity for independent scrutiny in an open and transparent forum. This will give all interested parties the chance to have their voice heard.

“We held a number of very productive supplier events with Chambers of Commerce earlier this year and there has been a great deal of interest from local firms. We are also seeking to agree a number of key construction contracts conditional on planning permission to ensure we are shovel ready pending a positive decision by the Minister.”

There has been some controversy surrounding the opening of the mine has a number of locals are opposed to the plan due to environmental and health concerns.