Stormont departments have been criticised following the suspension of a public inquiry into an application for a proposed gold mine in Co Tyrone.
The inquiry by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) opened at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh on Monday, but hearings stopped on Wednesday afternoon amid claims there had not been enough consultation.
It was contended that the Irish Government had not been notified about the inquiry, and that Donegal County Council had not been given adequate time to respond after a cross-border issue was identified.
Commissioner Jacqueline McParland was critical of Stormont departments, particularly the Department for Infrastructure, over their conduct.
She said it was “deeply regrettable that members of the PAC have been put in this position by the inaction of government departments particularly the planning department of the DFI to follow their own legislative procedures”.
She also said that the inquiry has been “besieged with difficulties” and this was a “necessary juncture”, adding that the cost to the public purse and impact on communities “cannot be understated”.
The mining firm Dalradian has been working on the Curraghinalt site near Greencastle in the Sperrin Mountains since 2009.
It has applied to develop an underground gold mine.
There has been opposition to the proposal, which concerns an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in terms of its impact on health and the environment. However, some local people are in support for investment and jobs in the area.
Dalradian said the project could bring 1,000 jobs and deliver £5 billion to the local economy in Northern Ireland.
Alliance councillor Stephen Donnelly said there is deep disappointment in the community at the delay in proceedings.
“There is a deep disappointment across the community at this delay, which has increased concerns residents were already feeling,” he said.
“That is compounded by the reason. It did not come as a surprise to anyone here cross-border considerations would come into play, so it is astonishing the department did not seem to take this factor into its plans,” said Mr Donnelly.
“The inquiry was an opportunity for the people of Tyrone and further afield to input their opposition to this proposed goldmine.
“Thanks to the department’s failings, this has now ground to a halt. It shows a complete disrespect to our entire community.
“We need to see sustainable development in the west of Northern Ireland which does not require exploitation of our natural assets and instead showcases a green recovery for our society.”
At a hearing on Monday, the company gave n assurance has been given that no cyanide will be used in the proposed mining of gold.
In an earlier plan, Dalradian had proposed using cyanide in the mining process but said that had been removed in 2019.
This was questioned during Monday’s hearing, with those against the proposed mine expressing concern that cyanide could be reintroduced to the proposed process and seeking an explanation of how it was removed.
A representative for Dalradian said it had been removed from the plans for the Co Tyrone mine, adding: “There is absolutely no intention of using cyanide.”
The inquiry also heard that there had been “unauthorised development” on the existing Dalradian site, with “infilling, fencing and cameras”. - PA