Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – Concern at expiration of prospecting licences

Chief Executive Alison McCullagh drew members’ attention to correspondence from the Department detailing the position around respective functions, and clarifying the current licencing in operation on the site in question.

Independent Councillor Emmet McAleer remarked: “This letter is interesting because it once again confirms Dalradian’s mineral prospecting licences have expired, from December, 2019.

“It also raises additional questions around how the Department for the Economy and the Crown Estate, as well as the Department for Finance, link up regarding these matters.”

He continued: “The Department for the Economy grants prospecting licences of base metals, but not for gold and silver. The Crown Estate grants option lease agreements for precious metals, provided other permissions and licences are in place.

“It was noted on the Crown Estate website and reinforced when I met with them in early December.”

According to Councillor McAleer, Dalradian’s prospecting licenses have not as yet been renewed.

“In the absence of such licences and permissions, Dalradian cannot enjoy the benefits of permitted development rights, which has been under considered review for some years.

“The upcoming meeting with the Crown Estate agents may provide an opportunity to discuss and clarify some of these issues, because there still seems to be continued confusion surrounding statutory bodies in relation to their roles and responsibilities.

“We need to raise these issues and iron them out because at the minute it seems to be whatever the mining companies want to do is being permitted and facilitated, whether they have the rights to do so or not.”

He also pointed out as a council: “Planning permission for that area has expired. That goes to highlight the serious concerns of this operation.”