Home / Environment / US Firm's £21bn Gold Plan Divides Northern Ireland
US Firm's £21bn Gold Plan Divides Northern Ireland
11 Apr
Summary
- A public inquiry into a proposed £21bn gold mine reopened nine years after initial plans.
- Opponents fear environmental damage, while proponents cite job creation and economic benefits.
- The long-standing dispute has caused deep divisions and even threats within the community.
A public inquiry has resumed for Dalradian Gold's proposed mine in the Sperrins, Northern Ireland, nine years after the initial planning application. The estimated £21 billion gold reserves beneath the hills have ignited a decade of bitter division among locals.
Dalradian, owned by a New York investment firm, asserts the project will create 1,000 jobs, generate substantial tax revenue, and support a £1 billion supply chain, aiming for carbon neutrality. However, opponents, including residents like Fidelma O'Kane, fear irreparable environmental damage, pollution of local rivers, and the desecration of a cherished natural landscape.
The planning application, for extracting 3.5 million ounces of gold over 20-25 years at Curraghinalt, has faced significant delays due to opposition campaigns and Northern Ireland's planning system. Both sides report intimidation and threats, highlighting the intense polarization within the community.
The public inquiry, held in Omagh, will hear evidence until early June. Recommendations will then go to ministers, who will make the final decision. Opponents vow to continue their fight, even resorting to direct action if the mine is approved.
