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Concerns raised about planned goldmine consultation

Anti mining campaigner Cormac McAleer
Anti mining campaigner Cormac McAleer Anti mining campaigner Cormac McAleer

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to plans to build a controversial gold processing plant in Co Tyrone have accused planners of ignoring their concerns.

The Save Our Sperrins campaign last night criticised the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) over its handling of concerns about the consultation process currently being carried out by the company behind the project.

It came as police last night confirmed that they would be present at a public meeting this weekend "to ensure any protest is peaceful".

Canadian-based mining firm Dalradian wants to open a processing plant at Greencastle.

The company intends to use the highly toxic chemical cyanide to extract gold from the ore mined at the site.

The plans are bitterly opposed by some in the area concerned that the environment will be damaged.

As part of the planning process a consultation is being carried out with Dalradian due to host a public event at its offices near the village of Rouskey this weekend.

A similar event planned for last month was cancelled after a local group said it would not make a community hall available to Dalradian for the event.

Cormac McAleer, from the Save Our Sperrins campaign group, last night said he was “disappointed with the failure, to date, of the DfI's Strategic Planning Division to respond to concerns over the deficiencies of Dalradian’s community consultation” on its proposals.

Mr McAleer added that the PSNI has told him they intend to have a presence at this weekend’s public consultation event.

The PSNI last night confirmed officers will be present to "ensure that any protest is peaceful".

Meanwhile, a newly formed republican political party Saoradh has said it will oppose the proposals.

The party’s chairman David Jordan last night said the party will “stand in solidarity” with opponents of the plan.