Who are Dalradian?
We are a mineral and exploration development company who have been working on the Curraghinalt site since late 2009.
Our project will create jobs, strengthen the local community and respect the environment
Explore the FAQs
Find your answer in our list of frequently asked questions
Filter by:
The Project
The Curraghinalt deposit is in the parishes of Gortin and Greencastle in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The mine will be underground and the proposed site for the new surface infrastructure is north of Crockanboy Road, between Rouskey and Greencastle. We have applied to the Department for Infrastructure to retain our test site, located on Camcosy Road about two miles from Rouskey.
Watch
What is the project?
The Curraghinalt Project is a mineral deposit of gold, silver and copper in west Tyrone. Dalradian have been advancing the project for more than 13 years and have submitted a planning application for a modern, underground mine.
The mine is underground, but there will be some operations on the surface housed in 5 main buildings. These include a water treatment plant, an ore processing plant, workshop, mine rescue building, administrative offices and a dry stack facility. The processing plant is the largest of the buildings. It will measure 58 metres wide, 92 metres long and 17 metres high. All the buildings are designed to blend in with local agricultural buildings. Learn more about our surface infrastructure and its visual impact by viewing this animation, visiting the virtual tour or viewing the planning application at Planning NI website using reference number LA10/2017/1249/F.
Dry Stack is recognized as a Best Available Technique by the EU with respect to waste management. Most waste rock and tailings generated in the mine will be stored underground, with the remainder being placed on the surface in a dry stack facility, which is a secure way to store processed rock. The rock will be ground to the size of sand - and engineered with larger chunks of crushed rock to create a low ridge that is contoured into the landscape, covered with soil and seeded with local plant life. The process of sculpting into the landscape and planting will take place during operations, instead of at the end, as with many rehabilitation works. The plants that grow on the dry stack facility will help to stabilise it. We are working with experts to work out the best soil and plant choices for the Sperrins’ landscape. A mine operating in a National Park in Scotland uses dry stack tailings. Our rehabilitation measures will ensure that the site can be used for farming or returned to heathland.
Planning for closure has been considered from the beginning and will be continuously reviewed throughout the life of mine. When the mine closes, the buildings at the surface will be removed, and the groundworks contoured and planted with plants selected for the local ecology. The dry stack facility will be consolidated and engineered to ensure its stability from the beginning. It will also be progressively seeded from the outset. These activities are set out in a Closure Rehabilitation Plan and covered by a legally binding bond, which will be agreed by the Department of Infrastructure.
We will only process material from the Curraghinalt mine. Our planning application does not include a proposal to import ore from elsewhere, and the processing plant only has capacity for Curraghinalt's output.
Our research shows that there is over 6 million ounces of gold at the Curraghinalt site. We have not yet found the full extent of the deposit. Read more about our resources.
Similar gold deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines’ operations are extended as more gold is discovered. However, our planning application is for a specific amount of mining, carried out over approximately 20 years. Any additional mining would require new planning permission.
Carbon neutral means reducing the net amount of carbon emitted to the atmosphere to zero. Another term for this is "net zero carbon emissions". This can be achieved by removing carbon emissions from our daily activity, or by balancing them out using carbon offsetting.
Our operations are carbon neutral. We have achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards each year since 2019. We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for each year starting with 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO Management Pland and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified carbon reduction project. Read about the most recent project we supported (solar-powered in India).
Dalradian also supports tree planting in Northern Ireland, with over 1,500 trees planted since 2019. Thus we are accredited as a "Carbon Neutral Plus" organisation.
Achieving net zero by 2050 is a challenge for society and managing our emissions will be an ongoing priority for our company and our suppliers. Each stage of our project will have a very different carbon footprint and we have implemented a Carbon Management Plan to reduce, measure, report and offset emissions relative to each stage. We will be 100% net zero carbon neutral by using a combination of renewable power, electric vehicles, covered conveyor belts and biodiesel. We have also been in discussions with potential suppliers to the mine in order to further reduce carbon emissions, with a focus on the aspects that will make the biggest difference. The largest category is mining consumables, including concrete, steel and explosives. We are looking at existing product lines to pinpoint the best current options but also looking to collaborate with like-minded suppliers to find further emissions reductions throughout the mine’s supply chain.
We will use high-quality, internationally certified carbon offsetting to ensure we are fully carbon neutral on an ongoing basis. This is an audited, accredited system that involves independent verification on an annual basis.
Yes, we achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards for 2019.
We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO 14064-3. We developed a carbon management plan and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified water purification programme in Cambodia.
We devoted major parts of our environmental assessment and design to reducing the visual impact of the mine.
The proposed site faces away from the AONB and the main spine of the Sperrin Mountains. The existing mature trees and natural hollows at Curraghinalt lend themselves to reducing visual impact.
Our buildings will be in keeping the with local rural farming area and painted green to blend in with the landscape. The site’s rehabilitation will begin during operations and continue after mining is complete. All the buildings will be removed when the mine is closed.
Dalradian has proposed a sustainable approach to water management at the future underground mine that meets stringent environmental regulations. Our approach combines recycling of water onsite, the latest treatment technology and extensive testing.
Our water requirements will be kept low by recycling most of the water back into operations. We will collect and treat all water that comes into contact with the site – including rainwater run-off – before it is released. All water leaving the site will be governed by a discharge consent which will be issued and monitored by the NIEA.
Our state-of-the art water treatment plant will be able to treat to drinking water quality. Any water discharged will meet or exceed the standards set by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The rivers will be continuously monitors by NIEA and our environmental technicians to confirm our compliance.
The proposed mine will be underground and will not be visible. Our infrastructure on the surface is designed to minimise visual effects, including the use of natural screens such as trees and new plantings. We will also use the hills and valley to obscure the buildings. The buildings are similar in height and design to agricultural buildings in the local area.
There is strict regulation that limits the amount of dust and noise that we can make. We have designed the project to meet these limits. We will use water suppression and tree plantings to control dust and sound berms (mounds of planted earth) and sound barriers to limit the noise.
We will pay careful attention to the radon levels on the site. Radon occurs naturally in the area and across many other parts of the UK and Ireland. It is most dangerous when it builds up inside enclosed spaces – especially homes. As with all other environmental indicators, testing and regulation will continue going forward.
We will use a combination of trees, topography and berms to help reduce the visual and noise effects of the mine. These measures will not eliminate the noise and the view of the mine altogether, but they will greatly reduce them. For example, the road from the portal to the processing plant will have a ridge standing between it and the valley below. This will muffle the noise of the trucks and block them from view. The dry stack facility will be placed in a natural hollow, to reduce its height.
Independent experts have examined the impact of a rise in the number of vehicles on the local community. They focused on the roads around Greencastle, Rouskey and Gortin. They found that, during the mine's operations, traffic at key junctions will rise by no more than 12–14%. That is an additional 60 vehicles over a 12-hour period per day. This is will add just five seconds to journeys taken by local people.
There may be a reduction in traffic if local people take up jobs at the mine, rather than commute further afield. Workers will car pool and use park and ride services during construction and operation. Shifts will be staggered to avoid traffic build-up at peak times, such as during the school run.
The project will create at least 300 jobs during the construction phase, which will last between 18 and 24 months. A total of 1,000 jobs will be created in the operations phase, including at least 350 permanent positions. Approximately 650 jobs will be created at suppliers to the mine and through employment created by increased spending in the local area.
We are accepting expressions of interest in future positions, but we will not be able to hire a full workforce for construction and operations until planning permission has been granted. You can submit your expression of interest at Future Careers – your input will help us design our training programmes. You'll also find details about the types of positions we'll be hiring for and detailed job descriptions for some roles.
Yes. There will be jobs at the proposed mine for a wide range of skills – mechanics, lorry drivers, IT specialists, geologists, engineers, administrators, health and safety monitors and environmental managers. Some jobs will require specific qualifications and training – such as a university degree or college diploma. Others will require only short-term education or on-the-job training. Based on the experience of other mines around the world, we expect about 90% of our workforce to be local, once the initial 3-year training programme is complete.
We are working with local colleges to create training programmes that meet our skill requirements. We have invested in career planning by developing the skills of a number of existing local staff. We will continue this throughout the planning process. We have budgeted £15 million over three years (the two years of construction and the first year of operations) for training. Given the high-tech nature of modern mining, Dalradian plans to make extensive use of virtual reality tools and simulators. The technology is similar to that used to train aircraft pilots and has already been demonstrated at SouthWest College in Omagh. We will also provide hands-on experience with mining equipment adapted for training purposes. Our internship programme has already provided invaluable work experience to university students in relevant disciplines. We’ve hired those students as full-time employees wherever possible. We will expand this programme when mining begins.
The average salary at the mine will be £40,000, substantially above the average wage in Northern Ireland.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
The Dalradian Community Fund (formerly known as The Tyrone Fund) has supported the work of 600 groups with over £1.2 million since we began working in Tyrone in 2009. They have included conservationists working to protect the habitat of the local freshwater pearl mussel, the Owenkillew Community Development Association and a shuttle bus service that connects older residents living in remote places. Funding was also used to help during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the Planning Application, Dalradian has also committed to a £4 million fund once operations begin.
We have supported the work of 600 groups with over £1 million since we began working in Tyrone in 2009. They have included conservationists working to protect the habitat of the local fresh water pearl mussel, the Community Development Association and a shuttle bus service that connects older residents living in remote places. Funding was also used to help during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gold occurs in veins running through the bedrock. These veins are narrow, typically less than one metre across and can be tens of metres apart. These will be drilled, blasted and brought to the surface through a tunnel. The road between the mine’s portal and the processing plant will have a berm – a mound of planted earth – on the downhill side to minimise noise and visual disturbances for local residents.
We’ve listened to the feedback we received during the planning process, with the major concern being cyanide use. Our response is to simplify our ore processing to avoid cyanide and smelting. We have conducted studies and testing to ensure that the project is still viable with these changes. Our approach is not new to the UK. Two gold mining operations using similar processes have operated in recent years – one in Scotland and the other in Northern Ireland.
Explosives are highly regulated by both the Health and Safety Executive and by the Department of Justice. They set guidelines for transporting, storing, and keeping records about explosives. We adhere to these guidelines and compliance is monitored by both the company and authorities. Explosives will be stored and used underground during future mine operations.
Dalradian's project will be well placed to achieve many of the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainable mining is about operating a competitive mine responsibly so that it contributes to the economic and social enrichment of the area through well paid direct employment, supply chain opportunities for local businesses and community development.
At the business's core is taking careful and responsible management of the surrounding natural environment, by constantly monitoring and conserving land, water and air resources and efficient use of renewable energy sources. In addition to striving to minimise impact on the ecological condition of the area during mining operations, Dalradian has set out a comprehensive plan of restoration on completion of mining activities as part of the planning application.
We are tackling climate change by minimising the impacts of our existing and future operations on climate as well as managing the risks that climate change could bring. Dalradian has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are committed to Carbon Neutrality during construction, operations and closure of our future mine.
The future mine uses the best available technology to manage climate-related risks. Design features include:
Mining is underground.
The tailings method is dry stack, not a dam. In addition to greater stability, dry stack allows progressive rehabilitation during operations.
Ore and waste rock will be transported to surface by a conveyor belt, reducing diesel consumption.
Underground ore-sorting equipment improves efficiency by reducing the quantity of rock being transported to surface.
Smaller underground vehicles (such as the drill rigs and jumbos) will be electric-powered. Developing technology will be incorporated for the larger machines as it becomes proven.
Commitment to carbon-neutral operation of the mine (including construction and closure).
Our proposed mine site has been designed to increase biodiversity. First, the area containing the project's infrastructure has been made as small as possible to minimise habitat loss and infrastructure has been located to avoid disturbance of habitats as much as possible, based on extensive ecological surveys. We have proposed an Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan (subject to approval by the Department for Infrastructure) which sets out a series of measures to protect local animals and habitats. One such tried and tested approach is to compensate for the loss of any habitats by enhancing and improving similar habitat areas nearby. Read our blog for more details, including examples of measures to protect newts, bats, lizards, birds and badgers. A similar approach is planned for peat, where first of all, the aim will be to minimise peat disturbance and secondly, to enhance degraded peat areas proximal to the mine site ( of which there are many) to offset peat disturbance at our site. We see our project growing the existing level of environmental expertise in the region and have plans to create a local Centre of Excellence for environmental management. Our sustainability team is trialling a number of biodiversity and sustainability projects which could be scaled up during operations, including a native tree nursery.
In 2021 our planning application was referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for a public local inquiry. The inquiry hearing is scheduled for September 2024. This is a standard stage for regionally significant projects like ours and one we fully support.
We expect the public inquiry hearing will last several weeks and bring together planning and environmental experts, community and other stakeholders presided over by PAC commissioners. It provides an opportunity for independent scrutiny in an open and transparent forum and gives all interested parties another chance to have their voices heard.
Following the hearing, the commissioners will write a report summarising their key findings, with their recommendation, which is then submitted to the Department for Infrastructure. Following review of the report, a decision will be made to either permit or refuse the application.
Potential for critical minerals in our licence areas has been highlighted by both UK and NI government studies. The British Geological Survey named mid-Tyrone as one of the eight most prospective areas in the UK for critical minerals. From the UK critical minerals list, Dalradian's mineral deposit at Curraghinalt contains Tellurium, Antimony, and Bismuth. Our broader licence areas have showings of Arsenic, Bismuth, Cadmium, Cobalt, Gallium, Germanium, Indium, Molybdenum, Antimony, Tin, Tellurium, and Tungsten.
There is a need to expand on the initial UK critical minerals list of 18, considering factors such as forecasted demand, domestic industry and economic growth targets, as well as lists from other countries ( e.g., Copper for the US, EU, Japan, China and China and Japan). Read more in our critical minerals blog.
Northern Ireland has strict environmental laws regarding mining. Our operations meet or exceed their requirements. Our work leaves the area as little changed as possible. Our five-person environmental team carry out regular monitoring and sampling of water, air, dust, radon and noise.
Over the years we have carried out extensive environmental studies to understand the local conditions and inform our plans to minimise our impact. These studies form the basis of our environmental monitoring programme, which will continue throughout the life of the mine and after its closure.
Our planners, engineers and environmental scientists have designed a modern mine that will maximise the benefits of our project for the local area, while minimising its environmental impact and operate in line with Northern Ireland’s strict regulations.
We are a mineral exploration and development company who have been working on the Curraghinalt deposit in west Tyrone since late 2009. Under licences granted by the Department for the Economy and licences held from The Crown Estate, our team explore for over 50 metals and minerals, including base minerals, critical minerals, rare earth elements and precious metals.
In November 2017, we submitted a planning application to build an underground gold, silver, and copper mine which is currently in the final stages of planning.
Our operations are a three-way endeavour between our c.30-strong team in Omagh, the Canadian mining expertise of Dalradian's founders and the specialist financial experience of our US owners Orion.
Our planning application is for a modern mine in Tyrone that will operate for at least 20 years and produce 15,000 tonnes of copper, 3.5 million ounces of gold and 850,000 ounces of silver. Our research shows that the deposit is substantially larger, and we have not yet found the full extent of it. Similar mineral deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines' operations are continued as extensions to the deposits are discovered. Any additional mining at Curraghinalt beyond that covered by the current planning application would require new planning permission.
Read more about our mineral deposit, including how it was discovered.
Perhaps the best comparison is to think of Dalradian’s project as a hi-tech, highly regulated, precision-led quarry – only one that is below ground, with processing on the surface. There are six stages to Dalradian’s environmentally responsible mining project: narrow-vein mining, processing, rock management, water treatment, shipping and final processing and rehabilitation. See our blog for more information.
Jobs
What sort of jobs does Dalradian offer?
Watch
How many jobs will be created and what sort of jobs will there be?
The project will create at least 300 jobs during the construction phase, which will last between 18 and 24 months. A total of 1,000 jobs will be created in the operations phase, including at least 350 permanent positions. Approximately 650 jobs will be created at suppliers to the mine and through employment created by increased spending in the local area.
We are accepting expressions of interest in future positions, but we will not be able to hire a full workforce for construction and operations until planning permission has been granted. You can submit your expression of interest at Future Careers – your input will help us design our training programmes. You'll also find details about the types of positions we'll be hiring for and detailed job descriptions for some roles.
Yes. There will be jobs at the proposed mine for a wide range of skills – mechanics, lorry drivers, IT specialists, geologists, engineers, administrators, health and safety monitors and environmental managers. Some jobs will require specific qualifications and training – such as a university degree or college diploma. Others will require only short-term education or on-the-job training. Based on the experience of other mines around the world, we expect about 90% of our workforce to be local, once the initial 3-year training programme is complete.
We are working with local colleges to create training programmes that meet our skill requirements. We have invested in career planning by developing the skills of a number of existing local staff. We will continue this throughout the planning process. We have budgeted £15 million over three years (the two years of construction and the first year of operations) for training. Given the high-tech nature of modern mining, Dalradian plans to make extensive use of virtual reality tools and simulators. The technology is similar to that used to train aircraft pilots and has already been demonstrated at SouthWest College in Omagh. We will also provide hands-on experience with mining equipment adapted for training purposes. Our internship programme has already provided invaluable work experience to university students in relevant disciplines. We’ve hired those students as full-time employees wherever possible. We will expand this programme when mining begins.
The average salary at the mine will be £40,000, substantially above the average wage in Northern Ireland.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
The Environment
How will Dalradian protect the environment?
Watch
How Dalradian achieves carbon neutrality
Dry Stack is recognized as a Best Available Technique by the EU with respect to waste management. Most waste rock and tailings generated in the mine will be stored underground, with the remainder being placed on the surface in a dry stack facility, which is a secure way to store processed rock. The rock will be ground to the size of sand - and engineered with larger chunks of crushed rock to create a low ridge that is contoured into the landscape, covered with soil and seeded with local plant life. The process of sculpting into the landscape and planting will take place during operations, instead of at the end, as with many rehabilitation works. The plants that grow on the dry stack facility will help to stabilise it. We are working with experts to work out the best soil and plant choices for the Sperrins’ landscape. A mine operating in a National Park in Scotland uses dry stack tailings. Our rehabilitation measures will ensure that the site can be used for farming or returned to heathland.
Planning for closure has been considered from the beginning and will be continuously reviewed throughout the life of mine. When the mine closes, the buildings at the surface will be removed, and the groundworks contoured and planted with plants selected for the local ecology. The dry stack facility will be consolidated and engineered to ensure its stability from the beginning. It will also be progressively seeded from the outset. These activities are set out in a Closure Rehabilitation Plan and covered by a legally binding bond, which will be agreed by the Department of Infrastructure.
Our research shows that there is over 6 million ounces of gold at the Curraghinalt site. We have not yet found the full extent of the deposit. Read more about our resources.
Carbon neutral means reducing the net amount of carbon emitted to the atmosphere to zero. Another term for this is "net zero carbon emissions". This can be achieved by removing carbon emissions from our daily activity, or by balancing them out using carbon offsetting.
Our operations are carbon neutral. We have achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards each year since 2019. We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for each year starting with 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO Management Pland and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified carbon reduction project. Read about the most recent project we supported (solar-powered in India).
Dalradian also supports tree planting in Northern Ireland, with over 1,500 trees planted since 2019. Thus we are accredited as a "Carbon Neutral Plus" organisation.
Achieving net zero by 2050 is a challenge for society and managing our emissions will be an ongoing priority for our company and our suppliers. Each stage of our project will have a very different carbon footprint and we have implemented a Carbon Management Plan to reduce, measure, report and offset emissions relative to each stage. We will be 100% net zero carbon neutral by using a combination of renewable power, electric vehicles, covered conveyor belts and biodiesel. We have also been in discussions with potential suppliers to the mine in order to further reduce carbon emissions, with a focus on the aspects that will make the biggest difference. The largest category is mining consumables, including concrete, steel and explosives. We are looking at existing product lines to pinpoint the best current options but also looking to collaborate with like-minded suppliers to find further emissions reductions throughout the mine’s supply chain.
We will use high-quality, internationally certified carbon offsetting to ensure we are fully carbon neutral on an ongoing basis. This is an audited, accredited system that involves independent verification on an annual basis.
Yes, we achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards for 2019.
We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO 14064-3. We developed a carbon management plan and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified water purification programme in Cambodia.
We devoted major parts of our environmental assessment and design to reducing the visual impact of the mine.
The proposed site faces away from the AONB and the main spine of the Sperrin Mountains. The existing mature trees and natural hollows at Curraghinalt lend themselves to reducing visual impact.
Our buildings will be in keeping the with local rural farming area and painted green to blend in with the landscape. The site’s rehabilitation will begin during operations and continue after mining is complete. All the buildings will be removed when the mine is closed.
Dalradian has proposed a sustainable approach to water management at the future underground mine that meets stringent environmental regulations. Our approach combines recycling of water onsite, the latest treatment technology and extensive testing.
Our water requirements will be kept low by recycling most of the water back into operations. We will collect and treat all water that comes into contact with the site – including rainwater run-off – before it is released. All water leaving the site will be governed by a discharge consent which will be issued and monitored by the NIEA.
Our state-of-the art water treatment plant will be able to treat to drinking water quality. Any water discharged will meet or exceed the standards set by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The rivers will be continuously monitors by NIEA and our environmental technicians to confirm our compliance.
The proposed mine will be underground and will not be visible. Our infrastructure on the surface is designed to minimise visual effects, including the use of natural screens such as trees and new plantings. We will also use the hills and valley to obscure the buildings. The buildings are similar in height and design to agricultural buildings in the local area.
There is strict regulation that limits the amount of dust and noise that we can make. We have designed the project to meet these limits. We will use water suppression and tree plantings to control dust and sound berms (mounds of planted earth) and sound barriers to limit the noise.
We will pay careful attention to the radon levels on the site. Radon occurs naturally in the area and across many other parts of the UK and Ireland. It is most dangerous when it builds up inside enclosed spaces – especially homes. As with all other environmental indicators, testing and regulation will continue going forward.
We will use a combination of trees, topography and berms to help reduce the visual and noise effects of the mine. These measures will not eliminate the noise and the view of the mine altogether, but they will greatly reduce them. For example, the road from the portal to the processing plant will have a ridge standing between it and the valley below. This will muffle the noise of the trucks and block them from view. The dry stack facility will be placed in a natural hollow, to reduce its height.
Independent experts have examined the impact of a rise in the number of vehicles on the local community. They focused on the roads around Greencastle, Rouskey and Gortin. They found that, during the mine's operations, traffic at key junctions will rise by no more than 12–14%. That is an additional 60 vehicles over a 12-hour period per day. This is will add just five seconds to journeys taken by local people.
There may be a reduction in traffic if local people take up jobs at the mine, rather than commute further afield. Workers will car pool and use park and ride services during construction and operation. Shifts will be staggered to avoid traffic build-up at peak times, such as during the school run.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
We’ve listened to the feedback we received during the planning process, with the major concern being cyanide use. Our response is to simplify our ore processing to avoid cyanide and smelting. We have conducted studies and testing to ensure that the project is still viable with these changes. Our approach is not new to the UK. Two gold mining operations using similar processes have operated in recent years – one in Scotland and the other in Northern Ireland.
Dalradian's project will be well placed to achieve many of the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainable mining is about operating a competitive mine responsibly so that it contributes to the economic and social enrichment of the area through well paid direct employment, supply chain opportunities for local businesses and community development.
At the business's core is taking careful and responsible management of the surrounding natural environment, by constantly monitoring and conserving land, water and air resources and efficient use of renewable energy sources. In addition to striving to minimise impact on the ecological condition of the area during mining operations, Dalradian has set out a comprehensive plan of restoration on completion of mining activities as part of the planning application.
We are tackling climate change by minimising the impacts of our existing and future operations on climate as well as managing the risks that climate change could bring. Dalradian has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are committed to Carbon Neutrality during construction, operations and closure of our future mine.
The future mine uses the best available technology to manage climate-related risks. Design features include:
Mining is underground.
The tailings method is dry stack, not a dam. In addition to greater stability, dry stack allows progressive rehabilitation during operations.
Ore and waste rock will be transported to surface by a conveyor belt, reducing diesel consumption.
Underground ore-sorting equipment improves efficiency by reducing the quantity of rock being transported to surface.
Smaller underground vehicles (such as the drill rigs and jumbos) will be electric-powered. Developing technology will be incorporated for the larger machines as it becomes proven.
Commitment to carbon-neutral operation of the mine (including construction and closure).
Our proposed mine site has been designed to increase biodiversity. First, the area containing the project's infrastructure has been made as small as possible to minimise habitat loss and infrastructure has been located to avoid disturbance of habitats as much as possible, based on extensive ecological surveys. We have proposed an Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan (subject to approval by the Department for Infrastructure) which sets out a series of measures to protect local animals and habitats. One such tried and tested approach is to compensate for the loss of any habitats by enhancing and improving similar habitat areas nearby. Read our blog for more details, including examples of measures to protect newts, bats, lizards, birds and badgers. A similar approach is planned for peat, where first of all, the aim will be to minimise peat disturbance and secondly, to enhance degraded peat areas proximal to the mine site ( of which there are many) to offset peat disturbance at our site. We see our project growing the existing level of environmental expertise in the region and have plans to create a local Centre of Excellence for environmental management. Our sustainability team is trialling a number of biodiversity and sustainability projects which could be scaled up during operations, including a native tree nursery.
Northern Ireland has strict environmental laws regarding mining. Our operations meet or exceed their requirements. Our work leaves the area as little changed as possible. Our five-person environmental team carry out regular monitoring and sampling of water, air, dust, radon and noise.
Over the years we have carried out extensive environmental studies to understand the local conditions and inform our plans to minimise our impact. These studies form the basis of our environmental monitoring programme, which will continue throughout the life of the mine and after its closure.
Our planners, engineers and environmental scientists have designed a modern mine that will maximise the benefits of our project for the local area, while minimising its environmental impact and operate in line with Northern Ireland’s strict regulations.
The Economy
What are the project’s economic benefits?
Our research shows that there is over 6 million ounces of gold at the Curraghinalt site. We have not yet found the full extent of the deposit. Read more about our resources.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
The Community
How is Dalradian supporting the local community?
Watch
What is the Dalradian Community Fund?
The mine is underground, but there will be some operations on the surface housed in 5 main buildings. These include a water treatment plant, an ore processing plant, workshop, mine rescue building, administrative offices and a dry stack facility. The processing plant is the largest of the buildings. It will measure 58 metres wide, 92 metres long and 17 metres high. All the buildings are designed to blend in with local agricultural buildings. Learn more about our surface infrastructure and its visual impact by viewing this animation, visiting the virtual tour or viewing the planning application at Planning NI website using reference number LA10/2017/1249/F.
Planning for closure has been considered from the beginning and will be continuously reviewed throughout the life of mine. When the mine closes, the buildings at the surface will be removed, and the groundworks contoured and planted with plants selected for the local ecology. The dry stack facility will be consolidated and engineered to ensure its stability from the beginning. It will also be progressively seeded from the outset. These activities are set out in a Closure Rehabilitation Plan and covered by a legally binding bond, which will be agreed by the Department of Infrastructure.
Similar gold deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines’ operations are extended as more gold is discovered. However, our planning application is for a specific amount of mining, carried out over approximately 20 years. Any additional mining would require new planning permission.
Carbon neutral means reducing the net amount of carbon emitted to the atmosphere to zero. Another term for this is "net zero carbon emissions". This can be achieved by removing carbon emissions from our daily activity, or by balancing them out using carbon offsetting.
Our operations are carbon neutral. We have achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards each year since 2019. We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for each year starting with 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO Management Pland and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified carbon reduction project. Read about the most recent project we supported (solar-powered in India).
Dalradian also supports tree planting in Northern Ireland, with over 1,500 trees planted since 2019. Thus we are accredited as a "Carbon Neutral Plus" organisation.
Achieving net zero by 2050 is a challenge for society and managing our emissions will be an ongoing priority for our company and our suppliers. Each stage of our project will have a very different carbon footprint and we have implemented a Carbon Management Plan to reduce, measure, report and offset emissions relative to each stage. We will be 100% net zero carbon neutral by using a combination of renewable power, electric vehicles, covered conveyor belts and biodiesel. We have also been in discussions with potential suppliers to the mine in order to further reduce carbon emissions, with a focus on the aspects that will make the biggest difference. The largest category is mining consumables, including concrete, steel and explosives. We are looking at existing product lines to pinpoint the best current options but also looking to collaborate with like-minded suppliers to find further emissions reductions throughout the mine’s supply chain.
We will use high-quality, internationally certified carbon offsetting to ensure we are fully carbon neutral on an ongoing basis. This is an audited, accredited system that involves independent verification on an annual basis.
Yes, we achieved carbon neutrality status to PAS 2060 standards for 2019.
We completed an assessment of our carbon footprint for 2019 that was independently verified by Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider. This assessment followed the exacting standards of ISO 14064-3. We developed a carbon management plan and offset all carbon emissions by supporting an internationally certified water purification programme in Cambodia.
The project will create at least 300 jobs during the construction phase, which will last between 18 and 24 months. A total of 1,000 jobs will be created in the operations phase, including at least 350 permanent positions. Approximately 650 jobs will be created at suppliers to the mine and through employment created by increased spending in the local area.
We are accepting expressions of interest in future positions, but we will not be able to hire a full workforce for construction and operations until planning permission has been granted. You can submit your expression of interest at Future Careers – your input will help us design our training programmes. You'll also find details about the types of positions we'll be hiring for and detailed job descriptions for some roles.
Yes. There will be jobs at the proposed mine for a wide range of skills – mechanics, lorry drivers, IT specialists, geologists, engineers, administrators, health and safety monitors and environmental managers. Some jobs will require specific qualifications and training – such as a university degree or college diploma. Others will require only short-term education or on-the-job training. Based on the experience of other mines around the world, we expect about 90% of our workforce to be local, once the initial 3-year training programme is complete.
We are working with local colleges to create training programmes that meet our skill requirements. We have invested in career planning by developing the skills of a number of existing local staff. We will continue this throughout the planning process. We have budgeted £15 million over three years (the two years of construction and the first year of operations) for training. Given the high-tech nature of modern mining, Dalradian plans to make extensive use of virtual reality tools and simulators. The technology is similar to that used to train aircraft pilots and has already been demonstrated at SouthWest College in Omagh. We will also provide hands-on experience with mining equipment adapted for training purposes. Our internship programme has already provided invaluable work experience to university students in relevant disciplines. We’ve hired those students as full-time employees wherever possible. We will expand this programme when mining begins.
The average salary at the mine will be £40,000, substantially above the average wage in Northern Ireland.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
The Dalradian Community Fund (formerly known as The Tyrone Fund) has supported the work of 600 groups with over £1.2 million since we began working in Tyrone in 2009. They have included conservationists working to protect the habitat of the local freshwater pearl mussel, the Owenkillew Community Development Association and a shuttle bus service that connects older residents living in remote places. Funding was also used to help during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the Planning Application, Dalradian has also committed to a £4 million fund once operations begin.
We have supported the work of 600 groups with over £1 million since we began working in Tyrone in 2009. They have included conservationists working to protect the habitat of the local fresh water pearl mussel, the Community Development Association and a shuttle bus service that connects older residents living in remote places. Funding was also used to help during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Modern mining has helped to build many towns across Ireland and the UK. Partnerships between mines and local community groups have ensured that the benefits flow to all parts of the community. In Navan, Co. Meath, Tara Mines is supporting a number of local organisations including the local GAA club. Lisheen, in Co. Tipperary, still enjoys the benefits of its relationship with a nearby mine, even though mining has finished. Read more.
Dalradian's project will be well placed to achieve many of the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainable mining is about operating a competitive mine responsibly so that it contributes to the economic and social enrichment of the area through well paid direct employment, supply chain opportunities for local businesses and community development.
At the business's core is taking careful and responsible management of the surrounding natural environment, by constantly monitoring and conserving land, water and air resources and efficient use of renewable energy sources. In addition to striving to minimise impact on the ecological condition of the area during mining operations, Dalradian has set out a comprehensive plan of restoration on completion of mining activities as part of the planning application.
We are tackling climate change by minimising the impacts of our existing and future operations on climate as well as managing the risks that climate change could bring. Dalradian has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are committed to Carbon Neutrality during construction, operations and closure of our future mine.
The future mine uses the best available technology to manage climate-related risks. Design features include:
Mining is underground.
The tailings method is dry stack, not a dam. In addition to greater stability, dry stack allows progressive rehabilitation during operations.
Ore and waste rock will be transported to surface by a conveyor belt, reducing diesel consumption.
Underground ore-sorting equipment improves efficiency by reducing the quantity of rock being transported to surface.
Smaller underground vehicles (such as the drill rigs and jumbos) will be electric-powered. Developing technology will be incorporated for the larger machines as it becomes proven.
Commitment to carbon-neutral operation of the mine (including construction and closure).
Our proposed mine site has been designed to increase biodiversity. First, the area containing the project's infrastructure has been made as small as possible to minimise habitat loss and infrastructure has been located to avoid disturbance of habitats as much as possible, based on extensive ecological surveys. We have proposed an Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan (subject to approval by the Department for Infrastructure) which sets out a series of measures to protect local animals and habitats. One such tried and tested approach is to compensate for the loss of any habitats by enhancing and improving similar habitat areas nearby. Read our blog for more details, including examples of measures to protect newts, bats, lizards, birds and badgers. A similar approach is planned for peat, where first of all, the aim will be to minimise peat disturbance and secondly, to enhance degraded peat areas proximal to the mine site ( of which there are many) to offset peat disturbance at our site. We see our project growing the existing level of environmental expertise in the region and have plans to create a local Centre of Excellence for environmental management. Our sustainability team is trialling a number of biodiversity and sustainability projects which could be scaled up during operations, including a native tree nursery.
Operations
Dry Stack is recognized as a Best Available Technique by the EU with respect to waste management. Most waste rock and tailings generated in the mine will be stored underground, with the remainder being placed on the surface in a dry stack facility, which is a secure way to store processed rock. The rock will be ground to the size of sand - and engineered with larger chunks of crushed rock to create a low ridge that is contoured into the landscape, covered with soil and seeded with local plant life. The process of sculpting into the landscape and planting will take place during operations, instead of at the end, as with many rehabilitation works. The plants that grow on the dry stack facility will help to stabilise it. We are working with experts to work out the best soil and plant choices for the Sperrins’ landscape. A mine operating in a National Park in Scotland uses dry stack tailings. Our rehabilitation measures will ensure that the site can be used for farming or returned to heathland.
We will only process material from the Curraghinalt mine. Our planning application does not include a proposal to import ore from elsewhere, and the processing plant only has capacity for Curraghinalt's output.
Similar gold deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines’ operations are extended as more gold is discovered. However, our planning application is for a specific amount of mining, carried out over approximately 20 years. Any additional mining would require new planning permission.
We devoted major parts of our environmental assessment and design to reducing the visual impact of the mine.
The proposed site faces away from the AONB and the main spine of the Sperrin Mountains. The existing mature trees and natural hollows at Curraghinalt lend themselves to reducing visual impact.
Our buildings will be in keeping the with local rural farming area and painted green to blend in with the landscape. The site’s rehabilitation will begin during operations and continue after mining is complete. All the buildings will be removed when the mine is closed.
Dalradian has proposed a sustainable approach to water management at the future underground mine that meets stringent environmental regulations. Our approach combines recycling of water onsite, the latest treatment technology and extensive testing.
Our water requirements will be kept low by recycling most of the water back into operations. We will collect and treat all water that comes into contact with the site – including rainwater run-off – before it is released. All water leaving the site will be governed by a discharge consent which will be issued and monitored by the NIEA.
Our state-of-the art water treatment plant will be able to treat to drinking water quality. Any water discharged will meet or exceed the standards set by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The rivers will be continuously monitors by NIEA and our environmental technicians to confirm our compliance.
The proposed mine will be underground and will not be visible. Our infrastructure on the surface is designed to minimise visual effects, including the use of natural screens such as trees and new plantings. We will also use the hills and valley to obscure the buildings. The buildings are similar in height and design to agricultural buildings in the local area.
There is strict regulation that limits the amount of dust and noise that we can make. We have designed the project to meet these limits. We will use water suppression and tree plantings to control dust and sound berms (mounds of planted earth) and sound barriers to limit the noise.
We will pay careful attention to the radon levels on the site. Radon occurs naturally in the area and across many other parts of the UK and Ireland. It is most dangerous when it builds up inside enclosed spaces – especially homes. As with all other environmental indicators, testing and regulation will continue going forward.
We will use a combination of trees, topography and berms to help reduce the visual and noise effects of the mine. These measures will not eliminate the noise and the view of the mine altogether, but they will greatly reduce them. For example, the road from the portal to the processing plant will have a ridge standing between it and the valley below. This will muffle the noise of the trucks and block them from view. The dry stack facility will be placed in a natural hollow, to reduce its height.
Independent experts have examined the impact of a rise in the number of vehicles on the local community. They focused on the roads around Greencastle, Rouskey and Gortin. They found that, during the mine's operations, traffic at key junctions will rise by no more than 12–14%. That is an additional 60 vehicles over a 12-hour period per day. This is will add just five seconds to journeys taken by local people.
There may be a reduction in traffic if local people take up jobs at the mine, rather than commute further afield. Workers will car pool and use park and ride services during construction and operation. Shifts will be staggered to avoid traffic build-up at peak times, such as during the school run.
The project will create at least 300 jobs during the construction phase, which will last between 18 and 24 months. A total of 1,000 jobs will be created in the operations phase, including at least 350 permanent positions. Approximately 650 jobs will be created at suppliers to the mine and through employment created by increased spending in the local area.
Yes. There will be jobs at the proposed mine for a wide range of skills – mechanics, lorry drivers, IT specialists, geologists, engineers, administrators, health and safety monitors and environmental managers. Some jobs will require specific qualifications and training – such as a university degree or college diploma. Others will require only short-term education or on-the-job training. Based on the experience of other mines around the world, we expect about 90% of our workforce to be local, once the initial 3-year training programme is complete.
We are working with local colleges to create training programmes that meet our skill requirements. We have invested in career planning by developing the skills of a number of existing local staff. We will continue this throughout the planning process. We have budgeted £15 million over three years (the two years of construction and the first year of operations) for training. Given the high-tech nature of modern mining, Dalradian plans to make extensive use of virtual reality tools and simulators. The technology is similar to that used to train aircraft pilots and has already been demonstrated at SouthWest College in Omagh. We will also provide hands-on experience with mining equipment adapted for training purposes. Our internship programme has already provided invaluable work experience to university students in relevant disciplines. We’ve hired those students as full-time employees wherever possible. We will expand this programme when mining begins.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
Gold occurs in veins running through the bedrock. These veins are narrow, typically less than one metre across and can be tens of metres apart. These will be drilled, blasted and brought to the surface through a tunnel. The road between the mine’s portal and the processing plant will have a berm – a mound of planted earth – on the downhill side to minimise noise and visual disturbances for local residents.
We’ve listened to the feedback we received during the planning process, with the major concern being cyanide use. Our response is to simplify our ore processing to avoid cyanide and smelting. We have conducted studies and testing to ensure that the project is still viable with these changes. Our approach is not new to the UK. Two gold mining operations using similar processes have operated in recent years – one in Scotland and the other in Northern Ireland.
Explosives are highly regulated by both the Health and Safety Executive and by the Department of Justice. They set guidelines for transporting, storing, and keeping records about explosives. We adhere to these guidelines and compliance is monitored by both the company and authorities. Explosives will be stored and used underground during future mine operations.
Dalradian's project will be well placed to achieve many of the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainable mining is about operating a competitive mine responsibly so that it contributes to the economic and social enrichment of the area through well paid direct employment, supply chain opportunities for local businesses and community development.
At the business's core is taking careful and responsible management of the surrounding natural environment, by constantly monitoring and conserving land, water and air resources and efficient use of renewable energy sources. In addition to striving to minimise impact on the ecological condition of the area during mining operations, Dalradian has set out a comprehensive plan of restoration on completion of mining activities as part of the planning application.
We are tackling climate change by minimising the impacts of our existing and future operations on climate as well as managing the risks that climate change could bring. Dalradian has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are committed to Carbon Neutrality during construction, operations and closure of our future mine.
The future mine uses the best available technology to manage climate-related risks. Design features include:
Mining is underground.
The tailings method is dry stack, not a dam. In addition to greater stability, dry stack allows progressive rehabilitation during operations.
Ore and waste rock will be transported to surface by a conveyor belt, reducing diesel consumption.
Underground ore-sorting equipment improves efficiency by reducing the quantity of rock being transported to surface.
Smaller underground vehicles (such as the drill rigs and jumbos) will be electric-powered. Developing technology will be incorporated for the larger machines as it becomes proven.
Commitment to carbon-neutral operation of the mine (including construction and closure).
Our proposed mine site has been designed to increase biodiversity. First, the area containing the project's infrastructure has been made as small as possible to minimise habitat loss and infrastructure has been located to avoid disturbance of habitats as much as possible, based on extensive ecological surveys. We have proposed an Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan (subject to approval by the Department for Infrastructure) which sets out a series of measures to protect local animals and habitats. One such tried and tested approach is to compensate for the loss of any habitats by enhancing and improving similar habitat areas nearby. Read our blog for more details, including examples of measures to protect newts, bats, lizards, birds and badgers. A similar approach is planned for peat, where first of all, the aim will be to minimise peat disturbance and secondly, to enhance degraded peat areas proximal to the mine site ( of which there are many) to offset peat disturbance at our site. We see our project growing the existing level of environmental expertise in the region and have plans to create a local Centre of Excellence for environmental management. Our sustainability team is trialling a number of biodiversity and sustainability projects which could be scaled up during operations, including a native tree nursery.
Northern Ireland has strict environmental laws regarding mining. Our operations meet or exceed their requirements. Our work leaves the area as little changed as possible. Our five-person environmental team carry out regular monitoring and sampling of water, air, dust, radon and noise.
Over the years we have carried out extensive environmental studies to understand the local conditions and inform our plans to minimise our impact. These studies form the basis of our environmental monitoring programme, which will continue throughout the life of the mine and after its closure.
Our planners, engineers and environmental scientists have designed a modern mine that will maximise the benefits of our project for the local area, while minimising its environmental impact and operate in line with Northern Ireland’s strict regulations.
Our planning application is for a modern mine in Tyrone that will operate for at least 20 years and produce 15,000 tonnes of copper, 3.5 million ounces of gold and 850,000 ounces of silver. Our research shows that the deposit is substantially larger, and we have not yet found the full extent of it. Similar mineral deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines' operations are continued as extensions to the deposits are discovered. Any additional mining at Curraghinalt beyond that covered by the current planning application would require new planning permission.
Read more about our mineral deposit, including how it was discovered.
Perhaps the best comparison is to think of Dalradian’s project as a hi-tech, highly regulated, precision-led quarry – only one that is below ground, with processing on the surface. There are six stages to Dalradian’s environmentally responsible mining project: narrow-vein mining, processing, rock management, water treatment, shipping and final processing and rehabilitation. See our blog for more information.
Planning application
Similar gold deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines’ operations are extended as more gold is discovered. However, our planning application is for a specific amount of mining, carried out over approximately 20 years. Any additional mining would require new planning permission.
The project will create at least 300 jobs during the construction phase, which will last between 18 and 24 months. A total of 1,000 jobs will be created in the operations phase, including at least 350 permanent positions. Approximately 650 jobs will be created at suppliers to the mine and through employment created by increased spending in the local area.
We expect the mine to bring a host of social and economic benefits to Tyrone and the west of Northern Ireland. • Total employment boost of some 1,000 jobs. • We offer an average salary of £40,000 – substantially above the average salary in Northern Ireland. • The careers we offer will stem the flow of young talent from the west of Northern Ireland. • Training and skills development: £15 million over 3 years, starting during construction to maximise local employment. • Supply chain in excess of £750 million to build and operate the mine, creating supplier opportunities in the region. • Our exports will add up to a 2.4% reduction in Northern Ireland’s trade deficit. • A £360 million capital investment over the life of the mine. • £4 million committed to future funding of local community groups, subject to planning approval.
The Dalradian Community Fund (formerly known as The Tyrone Fund) has supported the work of 600 groups with over £1.2 million since we began working in Tyrone in 2009. They have included conservationists working to protect the habitat of the local freshwater pearl mussel, the Owenkillew Community Development Association and a shuttle bus service that connects older residents living in remote places. Funding was also used to help during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the Planning Application, Dalradian has also committed to a £4 million fund once operations begin.
We’ve listened to the feedback we received during the planning process, with the major concern being cyanide use. Our response is to simplify our ore processing to avoid cyanide and smelting. We have conducted studies and testing to ensure that the project is still viable with these changes. Our approach is not new to the UK. Two gold mining operations using similar processes have operated in recent years – one in Scotland and the other in Northern Ireland.
Dalradian's project will be well placed to achieve many of the ambitions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For us, sustainable mining is about operating a competitive mine responsibly so that it contributes to the economic and social enrichment of the area through well paid direct employment, supply chain opportunities for local businesses and community development.
At the business's core is taking careful and responsible management of the surrounding natural environment, by constantly monitoring and conserving land, water and air resources and efficient use of renewable energy sources. In addition to striving to minimise impact on the ecological condition of the area during mining operations, Dalradian has set out a comprehensive plan of restoration on completion of mining activities as part of the planning application.
We are tackling climate change by minimising the impacts of our existing and future operations on climate as well as managing the risks that climate change could bring. Dalradian has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. We are committed to Carbon Neutrality during construction, operations and closure of our future mine.
The future mine uses the best available technology to manage climate-related risks. Design features include:
Mining is underground.
The tailings method is dry stack, not a dam. In addition to greater stability, dry stack allows progressive rehabilitation during operations.
Ore and waste rock will be transported to surface by a conveyor belt, reducing diesel consumption.
Underground ore-sorting equipment improves efficiency by reducing the quantity of rock being transported to surface.
Smaller underground vehicles (such as the drill rigs and jumbos) will be electric-powered. Developing technology will be incorporated for the larger machines as it becomes proven.
Commitment to carbon-neutral operation of the mine (including construction and closure).
In 2021 our planning application was referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for a public local inquiry. The inquiry hearing is scheduled for September 2024. This is a standard stage for regionally significant projects like ours and one we fully support.
We expect the public inquiry hearing will last several weeks and bring together planning and environmental experts, community and other stakeholders presided over by PAC commissioners. It provides an opportunity for independent scrutiny in an open and transparent forum and gives all interested parties another chance to have their voices heard.
Following the hearing, the commissioners will write a report summarising their key findings, with their recommendation, which is then submitted to the Department for Infrastructure. Following review of the report, a decision will be made to either permit or refuse the application.
We are a mineral exploration and development company who have been working on the Curraghinalt deposit in west Tyrone since late 2009. Under licences granted by the Department for the Economy and licences held from The Crown Estate, our team explore for over 50 metals and minerals, including base minerals, critical minerals, rare earth elements and precious metals.
In November 2017, we submitted a planning application to build an underground gold, silver, and copper mine which is currently in the final stages of planning.
Our operations are a three-way endeavour between our c.30-strong team in Omagh, the Canadian mining expertise of Dalradian's founders and the specialist financial experience of our US owners Orion.
Our planning application is for a modern mine in Tyrone that will operate for at least 20 years and produce 15,000 tonnes of copper, 3.5 million ounces of gold and 850,000 ounces of silver. Our research shows that the deposit is substantially larger, and we have not yet found the full extent of it. Similar mineral deposits in Canada have been mined for generations. The mines' operations are continued as extensions to the deposits are discovered. Any additional mining at Curraghinalt beyond that covered by the current planning application would require new planning permission.
Read more about our mineral deposit, including how it was discovered.
Our planning application stretches back to 2015 when our project was recognised as a regionally significant development at the outset of the planning process. That initiated a series of discussions between Dalradian and a number of government agencies resulting in a thorough public consultation process and an in-depth environmental impact assessment.
The application was submitted to the Department for Infrastructure in November 2017 and was referred to the Planning Appeals Commission in September 2021 for a public inquiry, as expected for this regionally significant project. The planning application is now in the final stages of the process with the inquiry hearing scheduled for September 2024.
We're committed to transparency and engagement and continue to support the calling of a public inquiry. It is the best way for a public discussion of the project to take place before a decision is made. The public inquiry will deal only with the facts around the planning application. This process ensures that the project is thoroughly tested. All parties – local people, government authorities and Dalradian – can be confident that the project should move ahead. We understand that mining is a new industry for Northern Ireland. A public inquiry is an important way to spread understanding of modern mining.
Your support matters
Support our plans to create jobs, strengthen the local community and respect the environment. The Department for Infrastructure will take your views into account. Help make our plans a reality.
Your letter of support will be sent directly to the Department for Infrastructure. Dalradian will not see your letter, nor any of your details.
Great things can happen with your support
Support our plans to create jobs, strengthen the local community and respect the environment. The Department for Infrastructure will take your views into account. Help make our plans a reality.
Customise a letter of support in two simple steps:
Provide your personal details
This will signal your support to the Department for Infrastructure. You can choose to keep these details private.
Tell the Department for Infrastructure why you support the project
Please tick all the elements you like about the proposed project.
Provide your personal details
This will signal your support to the Department for Infrastructure. You can choose to keep these details private.
Tell the Department for Infrastructure why you support the project
Please tick all the elements you like about the proposed project.
Dalradian will not see your letter, nor any of your details. Your letter of support will be sent directly to the Department for Infrastructure