A MINING company was granted prospecting licences in Fermanagh despite public concerns around the environmental, economic and societal impact of mineral exploration, The Impartial Reporter has learned.

Karelian Diamond Resources Limited currently has two active prospecting licences in the county, and a further licence in Tyrone, which were granted by the Department for the Economy (DfE)  in 2019 and 2022.

The licences give Karelian legal permission to explore for minerals in areas such as Brookeborough, Tempo, Dromore, Trillick, Clogher, Augher and Fivemiletown.

In July, the company discovered potential nickel, copper and platinum in these areas, and it has now raised £328,747 to fund a follow-up exploration programme.

However, information obtained from a consultation in April 2022 show that the two most recent licences were granted by the Department despite multiple concerns being raised by members of the public.

According to documents, seen by this newspaper, a total of 90 consultation responses were received; eight from 'stakeholder organisations', and 82 from 'other organisations and the public'.

And while six main points of opposition were identified, the Department of Economy (DfE) concluded that it saw "no impediment" to granting the licences. 

One of the key concerns was environmental, with some respondents voicing concern that DfE failed to carry out an "appropriate environmental screening and assessment" before the application from Karelian.

Other respondents felt that no 'strategic environmental assessment' (SEA) into mineral licensing has been carried out.

However, regarding this element, DfE asserted that mineral licencing "does not fall within the remit of legislation requiring an SEA".

According to DfE data, there are currently 14 active mineral prospecting licences in Northern Ireland, covering an estimated 10 per cent of land.

This was referenced by some respondents, who said they were concerned about "the number of MPLs currently and historically in place" within Northern Ireland, and the "potential cumulative environmental impacts" of these licences.

Again, the Department refuted these concerns.

"The Department takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, and there is no evidence of the work undertaken within the remit of MPLs over the past 50  years, or so, having any cumulative effect on the environment or landscape."

DfE were also challenged on their motive for "undertaking this consultation over a holiday period", with some feeling that the consultation window was "too narrow".

Others said they felt "disengaged" with the consultation process, and accused the Department of making no effort to ensure consultations were “community-focused”.

Responding to these claims, DfE said it met "all statutory requirements" regarding the consultation, which ran for a period of 12 weeks from April 2022 to July 2022.

Another concern centred around the impact on tourism, with some respondents claiming that potential impacts "had not been given enough consideration".

The Department asserted that there was no evidence, “from the past 50 years of MPLs being in  place, of any detrimental impact on tourism.”

Meanwhile, one respondent outlined that "exploration can have a positive impact on employment for local people and increase their skills and help the economy."

Interestingly, DfE said that the "economic benefits" of prospecting should not be "overstated."

"As we have stated previously exploration is low-level activity by small exploration companies," DfE said.

"However, it should be noted that one requirement of an MPL is the reporting of annual expenditure on the Work Programme of each MPL by the Licensee.

That expenditure can range from anywhere from around £5-10k up to around £100k.

The major share of expenditure is usually on salaries but also on servicing activities, some of which will undoubtedly be of benefit to the local economy."

Overall, the Department concluded that despite concerns raised at consultation level, it saw "no impediment" to the granting of two licences in 2022.

"Having considered all the responses received from our stakeholders, campaign  groups and members of the general public, the Department sees no impediment to awarding the applicant the two MPLs.”