BELFAST Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Tyrone-based mineral exploration and development company Dalradian Gold to host an online ‘Meet the Buyer’ event today (Tuesday) at 11am (register at www.belfastchamber.com).
Dalradian’s planning application to build an underground gold-silver-copper mine is moving through the final stages of the planning process,with the proposed mine set to generate some 1,000 jobs and inject £750 million into the local supply chain.
Indeed an independent review by professional services firm EY which found that the mine will provide a “significant and timely stimulus” for the economy for more than 25 years should it receive planning permission.
It says building the mine will provide a £158m boost through supply chain expenditure, salaries and contingency costs. When operational, the mine will generate a further £21m in salaries and £46m in supply chain expenditure annually. An additional £360m will be invested in capital equipment.
The report concluded that the project will contribute to “a more prosperous, competitive and regionally balanced economy” and would provide more highly skilled jobs, which would mean fewer people travelling for work outside the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, and increased incomes for families, which would provide “greater choices for their children and help them reach their lifelong potential”.
Today's virtual event will showcase the range of supplier opportunities open to Northern Ireland businesses within the proposed underground mine, anticipated to be in construction in 2022.
Dalradian has already spent £135 million advancing the project and has worked with 470 suppliers across Ireland. It has a supply chain of £750 million over the 20-25 year project life, making it the biggest private sector investment west of the Bann in recent years, with opportunities during construction and operations.
Brian Kelly, managing director of Dalradian said: “This Belfast Chamber event offers an opportunity for businesses to learn about the broad range of suppliers the mine will use and how they can connect with us as a potential future supplier.
“We’ve been working on the Curraghinalt gold-silver-copper deposit since late 2009 and are pleased to be in the final stages of planning and ready to begin construction next year. We are keen to ensure local businesses benefit from the project as much as possible and can grow with us.
“We want to see the local community benefit from the mine. To date, over £800,000 of funding has been provided to more than 400 local community groups. We have also pledged to donate a minimum of £4 million community funding in the future.”
Chamber chief executive Simon Hamilton said: “This event will give Chamber members and non-members a chance to learn about the opportunities and contracts available over the coming years at Dalradian, who are are pioneers in their field and whose project will create a new industry for Northern Ireland, generate much needed jobs and inject a huge amount of money into the local supply chain.”
