Political representatives met with around 40 local farmers and residents on a dairy farm near Greencastle, Co Tyrone, yesterday to show support in opposition to a proposed gold-mining facility in the Sperrin mountains that will use the toxic chemical cyanide in the processing procedure.

Canadian mining company Dalradian Gold Ltd currently has plans in the pre-consultation stage for the facility. Gold mining has been occurring in the Sperrins at different times since the late 1970s with relatively little opposition from local residents.

The company took over the mine in 2010, but public opinion on the mining turned recently when details of the proposed processing facility and the use of cyanide became known.

Speaking yesterday, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle O’Neill said that she had the same concerns as local residents and farmers in the Greencastle and Gortin areas.

“The extent of the plans mean that it will be a matter for the executive to decide. You absolutely have 100% of my support. This is not good for farming, not good for the environment and not good for the local community,” she said.

The uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the plans on the local area were highlighted as a concern by all in attendance, including Minister O’Neill, local Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer and local Ulster Unionist Councillor Bert Wilson.

Farming

One local farmer told the Irish Farmers Journal that an independent party should be involved in analysing the proposed facility and the impact it will have in the local area.

“Obviously the company [Dalradian Gold Ltd] has told us that the cyanide process will be highly regulated and safe. However, we all know that accidents do happen and computerised processes can go wrong,” he said.

Minister O’Neill also said there was many questions to answer. “Will there be seepage from the cyanide into the land? Will that go into the water course? There is so much information that has got to be brought together on what it all means,” she said.

The minister also asked local farmers to contact DARD to state concerns about the impact the plans could have on agricultural land and potentially the food that is produced on the land. “DARD will be a formal consultee in the planning process and will use this evidence,” she added.

Local residents have also been to Stormont this week to meet with Environment Minister Mark H Durkan and also Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Residents have said that both ministers are also both opposed to the plans.

Listen to an interview with Minister O’Neill from the protest below