Seven mineral prospecting licences have been granted across Northern Ireland to four mining companies, the Department for the Economy has confirmed, in a decision that has drawn fierce criticism from local communities, environmental groups and elected representatives after more than 2,100 public objections were effectively overridden.
The licences, which cover exploration for minerals excluding gold and silver across parts of Counties Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh, were awarded following a 12-week public consultation that concluded in April. Of the responses received, 99.5% were opposed to the licences being granted. Every affected local council also objected to the proposals.
Under the terms of the awards, Conroy Gold will be permitted to explore south Armagh in areas near Keady and Newtownhamilton. Dalradian Gold will be able to prospect across portions of County Tyrone including land near Strabane and Plumbridge in the Sperrin Mountains. Karelian Diamond Resources has been granted rights to explore in Colebrook, County Fermanagh, while Flintridge Resources will focus on land near Killeter in County Tyrone. The licences cover prospecting only, though there remains the possibility that exploration could ultimately lead to full-scale mining operations.
Environmental campaigners condemned the decision as a democratic failure. Save Our Sperrins, which has led opposition to the licences, said communities were “shocked and deeply disappointed,” adding that the decision came despite a recent successful judicial review that had identified failures in the very licensing process now being used. “Once again, the democratic voice of local communities has been sidelined in favour of private mining interests,” the group said, describing the decision as “anti-democratic, environmentally reckless, legally questionable, and socially divisive.”
Martin Tracey of the Campaign Against Mining highlighted what he described as a significant shift in position by Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, who he said had previously called for a moratorium on mining licences and a rigorous review of the system governing their award — a stance apparently at odds with the department’s decision to proceed.
A Department for the Economy spokesperson defended the process, noting that existing legislation must be complied with and that a comprehensive review of mineral licensing is currently underway. The department also clarified that it holds no role in licensing gold and silver exploration, which falls under the remit of the Crown Estate.
Local campaigners argue the exploration activities pose risks to the environment, water supplies and tourism-dependent rural communities across the affected areas.
