21 August 2021
“Ireland is not for
sale” was the rallying cry from demonstrators as they protested against a
proposed mine in Northern Ireland last Saturday.
Hundreds of people
from all ages walked from the GPO to the Dáil to deliver a letter to the Irish
Government, and convey their dissatisfaction with the current situation.
Dalradian Gold have a
planning application to build the largest gold mine processing plant in Western
Europe. The proposed mine is in Greencastle, located in the Sperrin region – an
area of outstanding beauty (ANOB).
Protesters stressed the mine will have multiple negative effects on the community. Their concern is primarily that it would pollute the air, water, land and people’s health. They also fear it could further affect the farming, tourism and fishing sectors.
Activist with Cooperation Against Mining in Omagh (CAMIO) Gordon Dunn described the plans for the mine
as the first ‘domino’ in Ireland. He said, “When that domino falls, it’s going
to be a problem for the whole country.”
With roughly a dozen
organizations in attendance, there were demonstrators were represented the
country-over.
Organiser and Save Our
Sperrins activist Fidelma O’Kane urged action for both individuals and for political
support as the protest was underway.
“If we all work
together, we will stop this toxic industry,” Mrs. O’Kane told The Green
News.
So far, 16 prospecting
licenses have been issued in Northern Ireland, an area that accounts for 25% of
the country. The proposed mine in Greencastle would also be located 1200 metres
from a primary school.
Speakers at the event
stressed their frustrations with the Irish Government attending the PDAC
conference in Canada. Ms. O’Kane said that the government is “inviting mining
companies, giving them tax concessions, promising them a straightforward path
to permitting and getting them in Ireland.”
Mr. Dunn further
stressed that if these mining permissions go through in his community, it would
be “devastating.” He said that gold mining is the second most destructive
industry in the world, second only to nuclear.
In a statement to The Green News, Dalradian said it is
proposing an “environmentally responsible underground gold, silver and copper
mine which will bring well-paid jobs and investment to the community in Tyrone
for many years to come” and stressed that “securing a future with clean and
renewable energy is not possible without metals, and mining is essential to
ensure that there is a supply of metals to support the transition to the green
economy.”
“Environmental
standards in Northern Ireland are – quite rightly – among the best in the world
and our detailed planning application reflects these requirements.
We welcome the high
level of scrutiny provided by the planning process and we also welcome the commitment
from Northern Ireland’s Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, to call a
public local inquiry,” they added.
By Sam Starkey
The post “We will stop this toxic industry”: Protesters march against mining appeared first on Green News Ireland.
