Mining Inquiry collapses

A public planning inquiry into a proposed mine at Greencastle in the Central Sperrins was adjourned after three days. The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure failed in its legal duty to consult the Southern Government. The same Department failed to sufficiently consult Donegal County Council.

John O’Dowd of Sinn Féin is Infrastructure Minister. Ultimate responsibility lies with him. Sinn Féin has now come out against the proposed mine. Militant Labour welcomes all support for the campaign. We remember Sinn Féin initially supported the mine.

The Inquiry showed how the whole process is unfair to objectors. American investment fund Orion Resources Mining owns Dalradian. They have invested at least $400million (£320million or €381million) in the project to date. At the inquiry, they had a line of lawyers and expert witnesses sitting along one side of the room.

In contrast objectors are locals of limited means. They have had to put great efforts into raising funds.

Despite this, the Planning Commissioner chairing the Inquiry has refused an application that experts be allowed to give evidence by videolink. Some of these are in America. Forcing their attendance means objectors must pay for flights and accomodation. This means even less equality of arms in the Inquiry. The Commissioner also rejected applications for the Inquiry to be recorded. She has also rejected an application for the proceedings to be broadcast online.

Dalradian initially said they planned a gold mine. At the Inquiry, they have added sliver, copper and tellurium in a green washing exercise. (Tellurium is a rare and toxic metaloid). Dalradian claim these minerals are needed for renewable energy.

In all cases, the mining processes are highly polluting. Dalradian had initially applied for permission to use cyanide in a processing plant at Greencastle. Now, their intention is to partly process on site. Then a concentrate will be sold on. This will probably be finally processed in Canada, using cyanide. Cormac McAleer of Save Our Sperrins told this was unacceptable in Canada for same reason it was unacceptable in Tyrone.

Department of Infrastructure commissioned the Planning Appeals Commission to hold the inquiry. Reality is the Northern Ireland planning System is stacked against objectors. There is a presumption in favour of development. Planning laws were made by parties which ultimately represent the interests of business.

For years, Dalradian has been promising ‘1,000 jobs’. Experience is numbers of jobs would be far smaller. Pollution from the mine would destroy more sustainable jobs in farming, food production and tourism. Experience also is mines leave pollution. Tynagh in Co Galway is a classic example. This closed in the early 1981, leaving the most polluted mining site in Europe. More, no business has the right to exist if it is putting workers or nearby residents at risk. Otherwise we would still be sending children up chimneys.

Militant Left has been involved in the campaign from an early stage. We have been instrumental in getting support from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. We have also been instrumental in getting several unions to donate.

Unsurprisingly, the Inquiry has not tamed Dalradian. They have applied to the Department for the Economy for a Prospecting License. This runs stretching from the northern outskirts of Omagh, skirting the eastern side of Strabane, to Magheramason, just south of Derry City. Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy is minister in this Department.