THE Green Party has voiced concern after it emerged that the PSNI has spent almost £500,000 policing a controversial goldmine in the Sperrin mountains in less than a year.
The privately-owned site is operated by Canadian mining firm Dalradian close to the villages of Greencastle and Gortin in Co Tyrone.
Police have refused to say how the bill has been run up claiming that to reveal the details could provide information to criminals and paramilitaries.
The PSNI previously confirmed it escorts explosives to the site and provides security at the “point of use”.
Green Party representative Ciaran McClean last night said his party intends to write to chief constable George Hamilton.
He added that the “impression is being given that Dalradian has been given a blank cheque signed by the Northern Ireland Executive”.
“Sustainable development of the local economy in west Tyrone is achieved through supporting local business and spending money within the local economy,” he said.
Friends of the Earth director James Orr previously said that the mining company should pay its share of the costs, which were obtained through a freedom of information request.
It shows that between August last year and June this year, £437,610 was spent policing the mine.
“These companies are not wealth creators, but wealth extractors and the cost is very high,” Mr Orr said.
A spokeswoman for Dalradian previously said it “contributes through taxation to the public purse which, in turn, funds the police service”.
“Policing is a public service not a private one, and no other business in our sector pays for policing,” she said.
