£3bn gold mine plan ‘flawed’

COMMUNITY consultation around proposals to build a major gold mine was substantially flawed, the High Court heard yesterday.

Lawyers for a residents’ group claimed the pre-application process around the largest project of its kind in Northern Ireland had failed to meet legal requirements.

Canadian firm Dalradian wants planning permission to operate a mine in an area of the Sperrins.

Up to £3billion worth of gold is said to be deposited at the site near Greencastle, Co Tyrone. If approved, the 25-year scheme could reportedly support 350 jobs.

But the Greencastle, Rouskey, Gortin Community is challenging the Department for Infrastructure’s handling of preliminary consultation, arguing they were not given enough information.

Mr Justice Mccloskey was told the proposals comprise 997 hectares, 144 of which involve surface infrastructure, at a sensitive location within an area of outstanding natural beauty.

With concerns over the use of cyanide during extraction, counsel for GRG stressed the scheme is controversial.

Gregory Jones said: “There are significant and substantive flaws in what was done, and what was effectively approved by the impugned decision in respect of the pre-application consultation process.”

The hearing continues.