Dalradian Gold has been given two new prospecting licences to continue its search for precious metals in Co Tyrone.
The firm’s Department for the Economy prospecting licences for the Greencastle and Omagh areas expired in December 2019.
But the Stormont department told Belfast Live the firm was still able to continue its search for gold and silver as their Crown Estate licences remained in place in the intervening period.
A DfE spokesperson said: “Exploration and mining of precious metals gold and silver is permitted under licence from the Crown Estate and Dalradian Gold Limited holds licences from the Crown Estate in all six areas shown on our map as MPLA1, MPLA2, DG3, DG4, DG5 and DG6.
“The Royal Mines licence grants authority to work any base metals for the purposes of accessing any potential gold.
“This includes where a company needs to go through base metals in order to extract gold, or where gold is mixed within base metals.”
Canadian firm Dalradian hopes to build a gold, silver and copper mine in the Sperrins area of outstanding natural beauty.
Dalradian MD Dr Brian Kelly said: “Dalradian has been working in Tyrone since 2009 in response to the Northern Ireland government’s search for the specialised expertise and substantial investment required to develop the mining sector locally.
“Prospecting licences grant permission for the exploration of minerals essential to modern life and we test for a full suite of minerals, including base metals, critical minerals, rare earth elements and precious metals.
“Over the past 12 years, we have invested over £130 million in exploration, test mining, engineering, and environmental studies to realise the project in an environmentally responsible way that maximises the benefits for the community and wider economy.”
Planning permission (K/2014/0246/F) for the company’s Camcosy Road site in Greencastle, Co Tyrone has lapsed.
A council spokesperson said: “This permission was subject to planning conditions, two of which required the site to be decommissioned and restored.
“The timeframe for this to be completed was October 2020 but the works were not completed.
“ This breach of planning conditions is currently under investigation by the Council.
“A planning application was submitted by Dalradian seeking to extend the time frame for the completion of the decommissioning and restoration works (planning reference LA10/2020/1235/F).
“No decision had been made on this application by the Council and the applicant has appealed this to the Planning Appeals Commission who will now determine the application.”
A spokesperson for Dalradian said: “We are not aware of any enforcement proceedings in relation to our existing exploration site. A related planning application by the company was not determined by the local council within the statutory time limit and the company has referred the matter to the PAC.
“This issue relates to the variation of a condition to retain mining related surface infrastructure, extending the period from three to five years, and is before the PAC.
“This application was made to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 27 November 2020. The application was made in accordance with Section 54 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.”
The firm's application for a full mine in Greencastle is now the subject of a public inquiry by the Planning Appeals Commission following a decision by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon.
