Almost 250 signatures objecting to prospect proposals

 

 

A local group has attached almost 250 signatures along with a submission against proposals to issue licences to a mining company seeking to prospect for minerals west of Belturbet and along the Border between Cavan and Fermanagh.

The now titled Cavan Mining Objection Group (CMOG) collected the signatures in Belturbet and Ballyconnell in the wake of a well-attended public meeting held at Belturbet Civic Centre towards the end of last month. The petition formed part of the overall submission objecting to the proposals by Minister for Communications and Natural Resources Denis Naughten to grant licenses for prospecting for base metals and minerals to Australian-based mining company BMEx Pty Ltd.

Incorporating a total of 80 townlands stretching from Drumlane to Ballyconnell and along the border with Northern Ireland, among those areas included fall within the protected Lough Oughter and Associated Loughs Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as well as the UNESCO recognised Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark.

“Objections were raised not just on environmental and conservation grounds, but due to concerns regarding unrestricted entry onto property, the potential negative impact on agriculture and tourism and our local community,” the group informed The Anglo-Celt this week.

CMOG are now awaiting a formal response from the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment – upon receipt of which a Public Meeting will be organised in Miltown Community Centre to discuss further action.

In the meantime, CMOG will continue to make submissions to various stakeholder organisations seeking support, including the IFA and Waterways Ireland.