WITH a quarter of the north now licensed to gold, silver and precious mineral hunters, the public inquiry that kicked off in Omagh, Co Tyrone, yesterday could shape the future of these lands for decades to come.
Canadian firm Dalradian Gold wants to mine gold, silver, copper and now a range of other precious metals from the Sperrin Mountains area of outstanding natural beauty, saying it will bring jobs and add value to the economy.
But concerned citizens from Greencastle and further afield have been doggedly fighting their plans for a decade over air and water pollution fears, the potential impacts on protected species and their habitats and even the impact it could have on future generations of their community.
Greencastle village, nestled in the picturesque Sperrins, is no longer the peaceful place it was before the miners arrived.
Some say the application has split the community, with those who see benefits in the plan rallying behind the mine and those concerned about protecting their farms, the environment and rural life in the area railing against it.
With 50,000 objections against the mine - it’s probably the most opposed planning application in the history of the north.
But if yesterday in Omagh shone a light on anything, it’s the lack of trust in authorities when it comes to the oversight of applications that pit the economy against the environment.
And the Planning Appeals Commissions order to shut off mobile phones, ban recording of the public meeting, and time slots for press pictures didn’t allay transparency concerns.
Campaigners opposed to the mine arrived in Omagh yesterday morning carrying coffins emblazoned with the words ‘RIP clean water’ and ‘RIP clean air’.
They were not behind the door in telling the Planning Appeals Commission they wished they didn’t need to be there, but felt they had no choice as they didn’t feel decision makers are up to the task of protecting all they hold dear.
Greencastle farmer Martin Tracey told the PAC he thought the Department for Infrastructure “is doing a better job for Dalradian, than Dalradian” to which DfI’s barrister responded “the fact that we have views does not mean we are taking sides”.
But as the PAC put their questions, one thing was clear… the north is in no way equipped to deal with such complex planning applications given the litany of mistakes and concerns raised throughout this process.
Multinationals with their teams of lawyers, experts and reams of reports are decades ahead and running rings around our officials’ grasp of regulations, old and new.
They’re playing the game well and it’s a sad indictment of our political class that it has largely fallen to concerned citizens to call foul, when there is one.
I just hope the PAC can get to grips with what this inquiry needs to do, and that’s leave no question unanswered before they make their decision and put those recommendations to the minister.
Shauna Corr is a freelance environment journalist
