The Silent Majority Community Group has welcomed the resumption of the Dalradian Public Inquiry on Monday, April 13, describing it as a long-overdue step in progressing the major economic opportunity.

Established in December 2019 to represent residents across the Sperrins and wider Fermanagh and Omagh area, the group was formed to ensure that the local community who support the mine have a voice. It has consistently highlighted the significant economic and social benefits associated with the mine, including the substantial job creation and long-term inward investment.

While the group said the delays since 2017 have been deeply frustrating for many in the community, it emphasised that the recommencement of the Inquiry represents important progress.

Chairman of the Silent Majority, Gerry Kelly, said: “The Silent Majority strongly welcomes the restart of the Inquiry and the opportunity to finally see this project subjected to full and proper scrutiny. After years of delay, it is essential that the process now moves forward in a timely manner.”

How Dalradian envisages the Curraghinalt site at Greencastle would look in the future.

placeholder image — How Dalradian envisages the Curraghinalt site at Greencastle would look in the future.

The group reiterated its support for the proposed development, describing it as a “a unique opportunity for this area of Mid Tyrone” that could deliver lasting economic benefits to an area that has long faced challenges in attracting investment.

Mr Kelly added: “This is a good news story for the region. The potential for high-quality jobs and economic growth cannot be ignored. For many families in this area, this represents a real opportunity for the future. It is also a chance for the local parishes in the area to thrive and provide an attractive future for our children”.

Public inquiry into controversial gold mine in Sperrin mountains to start

The Silent Majority also criticised Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s approach to the mine, stating that the views of a substantial section of the community have not been reflected.

“As ratepayers, many people in this community feel they have been sidelined while significant public money has been committed to opposing the project. Media reports indicate that the council has committed close to £1million on consultants and legal representation as part of its opposition at the inquiry.

“There is a strong and growing sense that the council has not fully recognised, or has chosen to overlook, the scale of the opportunity in front of it. It is our view that the council adopted an oppositional stance many years ago and has shown little willingness to reassess that position. It is particularly disappointing that this approach has continued despite limited engagement with the company and no evident effort to examine comparable, successful mining operations such as Tara Mines in County Meath.”

The group said it has a broad base of support across the local community and intends to ensure that those voices are clearly heard as the inquiry progresses.

Dalradian said in a recent social media post that the proposed modern mine in Tyrone is designed to be environmentally responsible – aiming to become Europe’s first carbon-neutral mine and featuring one of the most advanced water treatment plants in Northern Ireland.

"If approved, the project would create and support hundreds of direct roles, with average salaries of £45,000—around 68% higher than the average wage in Fermanagh & Omagh district council area, 56% above the Northern Ireland average, and 42% higher than the UK average,” it read.