Tanya Jones, who has been to inspecting the proposed diamond prospecting plans.
The Department for the Economy has proposed granting a prospecting licence to a company, meaning we could potentially see diamond mining across much of east Fermanagh.
In an advertisement in today’s Fermanagh Herald the Department said the proposed licence would cover Maguiresbridge, Tempo, Donagh, Roslea, Brookeborough and Fivemiletown.
If granted the licence to explore, and if precious minerals are uncovered, the potential for mining across such a wide area of the Fermanagh countryside could prove extremely controversial locally, akin to similar projects in other areas such as gold mining Gortin in Co Tyrone.
Fermanagh’s Tanya Jones, who was recently appointed deputy leader of the Green Party NI, has expressed concerns about the proposal, and said she had already been to Enniskillen Townhall to review the proposals.
“The proposed licence is to be granted to Karelian Diamond Resources for a six year period in relation to diamonds and base metals,” said Ms Jones. “The work programme includes ‘low impact exploration sample collection’ and identifying geophysical targets.
“The licence area covers much of eastern Fermanagh and southTyrone including all of Brookeborough and Fivemiletown, half of Tempo and the edge of Maguiresbridge. It includes Clabby Forest, Teiges Mountain and Slieve Beagh.”
Anyone wishing to make representations to the Department on the proposed licence can email minerals@economy-ni.gov.uk or post their submission to Minerals and Petroleum Branch, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB. Submissions are opened until November 10. The plans are currently on display at Enniskillen Townhall.
For more on this story see next week’s Fermanagh Herald.
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