Clearing up facts over Tyrone mine

FOLLOWING last week’s report (News, November 7) over a challenge to a NIEA water discharge consent for Dalradian’s proposed underground mine in Tyrone, a number of misunderstandings have arisen.

First, Dalradian is not discharging any metals into local water courses as a result of industrial activity. There is no operational mine and no mining at the site. There is an exploration tunnel which dates back to the 1980s.

The metals reflected in the discharge consent — including trace levels of arsenic and mercury — are all naturally occurring in watercourses in this part of Tyrone and reflect local geology.

As part of its environmental responsibilities, Dalradian captures and treats any water which comes into contact with its existing exploration site, be that through rainfall, or drainage, before discharging it back into the local burn.

The metals in question, therefore, are already present naturally. They are not being added to by Dalradian and there is no build-up of metals in the water, as some have suggested.

Water discharge consents are not permits to discharge harmful substances into the environment; their purpose is to ensure that discharges reflect natural levels of water quality.

Ongoing, independently verified testing of local water demonstrates that water quality levels in the area are good.

We anticipate that the consent will be re-determined by NIEA in identical terms.

Until that time, discharges will continue to be regulated by a similar, earlier consent.

PETERMCKENNA

Community relations manager Dalradian