'Our concerns are still concerns'

Campaigners who oppose the open-cast excavation of a mine that collapsed beneath a local GAA ground nearly seven years ago say that, despite assurances, their concerns are “still real”.

Last week An Bord Pleanála upheld a decision by Monaghan County Council to grant planning to Saint-Gobain Mining (Ireland) Limited - parent company to Gyproc - for renewed mining activity at a former gypsum mine at Drumgoosat on the Cavan-Monaghan border.

The underground mine closed in 1989. However, it partially collapsed following the emergence of several large sinkholes in September 2018, destroying Magheracloone Mitchells GAA club, a local community centre, and causing structural issues elsewhere. Several families had to evacuate their homes, while the main Carrickmacross-Kingscourt Road was shut to traffic for several weeks until the risk of further subsidence could be ruled out.

All facilities affected by the subsidence in 2018 have since been replaced. The items listed in the latest application are in addition to or enhancements.

Last week’s bord decision was welcomed by the company who say it “marks an important milestone” in securing the long-term supply of gypsum, a critical raw material for Ireland’s construction sector.

Saint-Gobain uses gypsum from its mines to manufacture plasterboard and plaster at its Ballynaclose plant in neighbouring County Meath.

The approval follows a detailed three-year planning process, which Gypoc say was shaped by ongoing engagement with local residents, community organisations, and elected representatives.

Separately, Saint-Gobain also received planning permission for the development of a community sports complex, which includes two additional playing pitches, a running track, floodlighting, sports hall, meeting rooms, handball alley, dressing rooms and part covered grandstand to replace the facilities impacted by the 2018 subsidence.

Gyproc has mined in the area between Kingscourt and Carrickmacross for nearly 90 years, and says it remains committed to maintaining long-standing relationships and open dialogue with the local community there.

In a statement to The Anglo-Celt, a spokesperson said Gyproc had “carried out extensive engagement” with both the community and relevant authorities. “It has conducted detailed investigations and reports which have been evaluated by the appropriate bodies.”

All elements of the planned development at Drumgoosat were assessed to ensure compliance with statutory standards relating to water, air, vibration, and noise.

Meanwhile, all remediation works that were “agreed” with relevant authorities following the mine collapse in 2018 were completed in 2022.

The collapse of mining pillars, after water was stored in an old area, was found to be responsible for the giant sinkholes appearing. Saint-Gobain stress that open cast mining did not play factor in the subsidences.

No conviction was recorded against the company arising from what happened.

Construction works for the new mine, meanwhile, will be tendered for in “due course”.

The proposed development includes the creation of a new open cast quarry, construction of a tunnel beneath the R179 main road connecting Kingscourt and Carrickmacross, refurbishment of the existing processing plant, and improvements to the quarry’s entrance and surrounding infrastructure.

This will be followed by landscaping and site development, and full mining activity is expected to begin approximately one year after the start of construction.

‘Disappointed’

Local community group D K Essential, one of the listed appellants, contended that the development was in material contravention of the Monaghan County Development Plan, which states that extractive developments that might have a detrimental impact on the environment should be restricted.

Bernadette Collins told the Celt this week the local campaigners found it “hard to speak” after learning of last week’s appeal outcome.

They are now in the process of assessing what steps could be taken next.

“As a group we’re very, very disappointed. It feels as if our concerns were completely overlooked by the powers that be. We had questions about air, water, noise and dust.”

Ms Collins says the group have little confidence in what impact planning conditions applied might have.

“Our concerns are still our concerns. They’re still real.”

Planning files record the most recent subsidence as having taken place on February 16, 2024, when an 11-metre wide crown hole opened up above the disused underground mine.

The Bord granted permission for the Drumgoosat development, which will separately require an industrial emissions licence, after noting that it would be in accordance with the provisions of the National Planning Framework.

The decision also noted that Monaghan County Development Plan 2019-2025 promotes the extraction of mineral reserves when carried out in a sustainable manner.

The mine is expected to have a life span of 30 years, with 300,000 tonnes of material a year expected to be extracted.

Gyproc state that its investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Ireland, and will support local employment and contribute to the sustainability of the company’s operations, while ensuring Ireland’s continued access to domestically produced gypsum.

Knocknacran mine

Saint-Gobain has also secured approval for the ongoing restoration of its existing open-cast mine at Knocknacran, located a short distance away, as well as the planned refurbishment of its existing processing plant.

Wills Bros was awarded a multi-million euro contract to support next phase of mining there.