Local councillors back Treasure Leitrim's call for gold mining ban

At the most recent meeting of Treasure Leitrim, members were keen to stress the threat that gold mining poses in the area. 

Chairperson of the group, Cllr James Gilmartin highlighted the critical role North Leitrim landowners have in being able to refuse entry to those who approach them to access their lands for the purpose of prospecting for Gold. 

Cllr Gilmartin outlined how this is the only stage in the mining process where communities can have a say in allowing gold mining. Prospecting Licences are the first step in obtaining permission to carry out full scale mining. 

The prospecting licences for 47 which were granted by the Minister for the Environment in April 2022 initially cover a six-year period, which breaks down into three distinct two-year periods. 

The first two years of work are now complete, enabling Flintridge Resources to use historic surveys and geological data funded by the people of Ireland. 

They can also analyse samples collected from streams and rocks in 47 townlands to estimate the concentration of gold per tonne of soil and rock. 

This information will help support their mining licence application. 

The second two years are now underway and it will be necessary for Flintridge Resources Ltd to establish more substantive evidence of the location and quantity of gold in the rocks and soil in the 47 townlands in Leitrim. 

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In order to do this they will need to carry out more in-depth sampling of river sediment, rocks and soils in the area. 

This will involve the mining companies gaining access to land and they may require drilling of trial holes or excavating trenches for soil sampling.

Madeline Kelly, vice chairperson of Treasure Leitrim went on to outline that this is where the landowners have great influence on the process. 

“Where they refuse permission for the mining company or its agents to sample soils, sediment or rock on their land it greatly inhibits the mining companies progress in establishing mining in the area. 

“Part of Treasure Leitrim’s strategy is to prevent the mining company gaining access to land, in other words stop them in their tracks. 

“This is the place where you the landowners are at your strongest. If they can’t get in, they can’t win. 

“You, the custodian of the land, are under no obligation to allow them access to your land, and you have the absolute right to say no for prospecting.”

Treasure Leitrim says this will be key in protecting our lands for future generations against the numerous harmful dangers associated with this unnecessary process. 

All councillors at the recent sitting of Manorhamilton Municipal District have given their support to such a ban being implemented nationally.  

People are welcome to attend Treasure Leitrim meetings held in the Community Centre in Manorhamilton every second Monday at 7pm. 

The next meeting is to be held on Monday, October 28. 

Signs will also be available in Killasnett Co-op, Manorhamilton which landowners can erect to further emphasise their opposition to allowing access to their land.  

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