Northern Ireland Gold Mine Inquiry Opens Amid Environmental Concerns

Dalradian assures no cyanide use in proposed Co Tyrone mine as public inquiry evaluates project’s economic and ecological impact.

Dalradian has proposed an underground gold mine in the Sperrin Mountains, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, potentially creating 1,000 jobs and generating £5 billion for Northern Ireland's economy.
The company assured the public inquiry that cyanide, initially part of the mining process but removed from plans in 2019, will not be used in the project.
Opposition groups, including Save Our Sperrins, have raised concerns about environmental and health impacts, staging protests outside the inquiry’s opening session in Omagh.
The Planning Appeals and Water Appeals Commissions are reviewing eight applications related to the project, with a final decision to be made by Stormont ministers after the inquiry concludes in March.
The inquiry will address strategic matters, environmental concerns such as air and water quality, and past unauthorized developments at Dalradian’s existing site.