The Sperrins: Mining, Power & Community in Northern Ireland

As the Public Inquiry takes a short summer break, so too does the podcast. I'll be back when the Inquiry resumes on 4th, 5th and 6th August, but before then I'd like to leave you this . In this special episode, I share a poem I wrote several years ago my own original reinterpretation, inspired by the style of The Vagina Monologues. It is a lament for the land, imagining the Earth as a living body and reflecting on what it feels like to witness a cherished landscape opened, wounded and changed. The accompanying artwork is a striking linocut of a Sheela na Gig by Valerie Whitworth. These ancient stone carvings, found across Ireland, are widely regarded as symbols of the sacred feminine, fertility, protection and the life-giving power of the Earth. They provide a fitting companion to a poem about our relationship with the earth and our responsibility to protect it. Thank you for listening, for caring, and for walking this journey with me. I'll see you again in August. If you value thoughtful, commentary on the Inquiry, please consider following the podcast, sharing this episode, and joining our campaign mailing list to stay connected. https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins  

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is look in the mirror. In this episode, I take a step back from the Public Inquiry to reflect on my own words and actions following recent events. It's an honest conversation about the difference between reacting and responding, the responsibilities that come with public commentary, and why holding ourselves to the same standards we expect of others matters. In this episode: Why I felt it was important to reflect publicly. The difference between passion and judgement. Why I've apologised to the Commissioners. The changes I've made to two recent podcast episodes. Why the campaign's values of dignity, respect and fairness remain unchanged. This podcast has always been about asking difficult questions with honesty and integrity. Sometimes that means asking them of ourselves as well. If you're new to the podcast, I'd encourage you to begin with Podcast 41, where the story of the Curraghinalt Public Inquiry and the Save Our Sperrins campaign really begins. https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/no41-public-inquiry-begins-what-happens-next/ If you value thoughtful, commentary on the Inquiry, please consider following the podcast, sharing this episode, and joining our campaign mailing list to stay connected. https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ As always, this podcast is intended to help people understand what happened at the Inquiry by bringing together the week's evidence in plain English. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins

This week's proceedings ranged from blasting and explosives to radon, arsenic, lead, public health and childhood development. But beneath the technical evidence, a much bigger question continued to emerge: who carries the risk, and who is ultimately accountable? In this episode we cover: 💥 New evidence on blasting and explosives 🏠 The experiences of residents living through previous blasting ⚠️ Concerns over conditions, enforcement and long-term accountability ☢️ Evidence on radon, arsenic, lead and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) 🧒 Medical evidence on air pollution, child development and public health 🌿 The debate over tellurium and critical minerals 🎙️ Reflections on transparency, public participation and the Inquiry process As always, this podcast is intended to help people understand what happened at the Inquiry by bringing together the week's evidence in plain English. If you find these updates useful, please consider joining the Sperrins community  campaign newsletter. https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ You'll receive important updates, events and ways to get involved as the Inquiry continues. Please subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review it really helps others find the podcast.  SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins

In Part 2 of Wednesday's Public Inquiry, the focus shifts from planning policy to public health. Retired GP Dr Alan Evans and consultant surgeon Dr Michael Mullan gave evidence on radon, arsenic, lead and tellurium, raising questions about the potential health implications of mining and why these issues matter to communities living in the Sperrins. This episode also explores why local concerns should not be dismissed as fear, but understood in the wider context of mining communities across the world. In this episode: The evidence on radon and why it matters. Concerns surrounding arsenic, lead and tellurium. Why tellurium became a point of debate at the Inquiry. The difference between geological timescales and human timescales. Why the experiences of mining communities worldwide deserve to be heard. 🎧 If you value independent reporting from inside the Public Inquiry, please subscribe, share this episode and help others stay informed. Every share makes a difference.

Public Inquiry – Final Day Before Summer Recess Today's hearing focused on some of the most important public health issues considered at the Inquiry so far. In this episode I look at the evidence presented on air pollution, radiation, electromagnetic fields and the potential health implications of the proposed mine. I also explain some of the technical terms that seem to have become part of the Inquiry's own language. In this episode: Blasting, Radon, NORM and what they actually mean.  ICNIRP  today's acronym of the day. Expert medical evidence on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and environmental exposures. Public health concerns raised during the hearing. The summer recess. If you're following the Dalradian Public Inquiry, this episode provides a clear, accessible summary of the day's proceedings. 🎧 Listen, subscribe and share to help more people understand what's happening at the Public Inquiry. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins Join our newsletter https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

When the public inquiry  starts to obscure the bigger picture, sometimes it's worth stopping to remember what we're actually trying to protect. This week's podcast steps back from the technical evidence of the Public Inquiry to reflect on why so many people have devoted years of their lives to this process. Alongside that, I examine another week inside the Inquiry, where procedural decisions, witness management and an increasingly tense atmosphere continue to raise difficult questions. In this episode: Why I decided to read excerpts from The Sperrins Declaration The importance of remembering what this Inquiry is really about The latest developments inside the Public Inquiry Questions surrounding witness examination and procedural fairness Growing frustrations among community participants Why many believe the process is becoming increasingly tightly controlled 🎧 Listen now and, if you enjoy the podcast, please follow, subscribe and share it. Every share helps more people understand what's happening inside the Public Inquiry.

Today's Public Inquiry was about blasting, but it began with something entirely different. Warnings about the podcast itself, questions about freedom of expression, and another confirmation that Cormac remains excluded from the Inquiry. As the evidence unfolded, new information continued to emerge orally rather than through the Environmental Statement, raising further concerns for Third Parties trying to scrutinise the application. In this episode I discuss: The warning issued about the podcast and why I refuse to be silenced. Cormac's continued exclusion from the Public Inquiry. Dalradian's revised blasting proposals – now 16 blasts every day. Concerns that crucial technical information is still being presented orally rather than in the application documents. Questions over vibration modelling, trial blasting and missing environmental information. Powerful evidence from local residents describing their previous experience of blasting. The revelation that approximately 42,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate could be used over the life of the mine. Why today's evidence leaves more questions than answers. 🎙️ If this episode gives you something to think about, I'd love to hear your views. Please leave a comment, share the episode, and help others follow what is happening at the Public Inquiry.

This episode takes a step away from the Public Inquiry and into the heart of the Sperrins for the 21st annual Gathering at Silverbrook Mill, Donemana. Set in one of Ireland's most unique historic mill complexes, The Gathering brings together people, communities and campaigns from across Northern Ireland and beyond. It is a day of conversation, learning, music, connection and shared experience. In this episode: • The story of Silverbrook Mill and its remarkable heritage • What The Gathering is and why it has endured  • The importance of connection in  community and environmental campaigns • The challenges of isolation faced by  campaign groups • Reflections on community, resilience and shared values • A conversation with fellow co-organisers Mary McGuiggan and Anna Louise Bresnahan  about this year's Gathering If you enjoy these conversations exploring community, heritage and the future of the Sperrins, please subscribe, share the podcast and help others discover the stories that often go unheard.

This week at the Public Inquiry, noise may have been the official topic, but questions of fairness, participation and whose voices are heard often dominated proceedings. In this episode I discuss: • A further 33 days being added to the Inquiry timetable. • The internet outage that left third parties unable to access key documents while others remained connected. • Whether a process can be fair when participants are operating on unequal terms. • The continuing debate around noise impacts and mining assessments. • The value of lived experience versus so-called professional expertise. • How ordinary members of the public continue to identify weaknesses in complex technical evidence. • Mary Brolly's application seeking the readmission of campaigner Cormac McAleer. • The Commissioners' decision to reserve their ruling until the Inquiry resumes. If you have found value in this podcast,  please subscribe, share , write a review  and help others stay informed about what is happening inside the Public Inquiry room. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/  

Today the Public Inquiry returned to noise, rebuttals, conditions, and a guest  appearance from  a member of the  "Silent Majority." In this episode: Third parties challenge inaccuracies in the applicant's evidence Noise evidence and rebuttals continue A masterclass in staying on message regardless of the question Why every impact seems to be described as "negligible" The case for the readmission of long-time campaigner Cormac McAleer The Commissioners' decision  If the evidence is to be believed, this may be the first mine in history that generates traffic, blasting, waste rock, industrial processing and power infrastructure while affecting virtually nothing at all. 🎙️ If you're finding these daily updates useful, please follow the podcast on Spotify and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Every share helps more people follow what is happening at the Public Inquiry. Thank you .  Link to podcast 71 - https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/71%f0%9f%8e%99%ef%b8%8f-public-inquiry-week-beginning-2nd-june-2026-day-1/   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/  

This week at the Public Inquiry, the discussion appeared to be about roads, heritage and planning policy. But beneath the technical evidence, a much bigger question emerged. What happens when a system designed to assess categories is asked to understand memory, faith, community and belonging? In this episode, I reflect on why many people feel the outcome is already predetermined, why communities often prevail not by convincing those in power but by convincing each other, and why the real legacy of the Inquiry may be the strengthening of the community itself. Key topics: • The growing perception that the outcome has already been decided • The evidence presented on the importance of the Mass Rock and cultural heritage • Why community, memory and belonging cannot easily be reduced to planning categories • The difference between authority and legitimacy • How communities can respond to hopelessness and negativity • Why staying connected may be the most powerful act of all Call to Action: If you find value in these conversations, please follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a review and share this episode with others. Every follow, review and share helps ensure that these stories, and the voices behind them, reach a wider audience.

Day 29 of the Dalradian Public Inquiry brought archaeology, peatlands and heritage into sharp focus, along with some uncomfortable questions about conditions, timetables and public participation. We hear contrasting evidence from Dr Jill Plunkett and HED, discuss the implications of archaeological mitigation, and reflect on the growing frustration among third parties as key topics are quietly set aside and timetable pressures continue to mount. Plus, a heartfelt thank you to the Earth Mamas, whose songs reminded us all why this fight matters.

Today the Public Inquiry heard evidence on historic roads, religious heritage, intangible cultural heritage and the deep connections between people, language and landscape. What emerged was a profound question: can everything that matters be measured? In a day that featured testimony from Father Joe McVeigh , Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg, Dr. Peadar Mac Gabhann, Liam Monaghan, Dr. Vicenza Cirifice and others, the discussion moved into the realms of memory, belonging, identity and community. In this episode: Historic roads and access in the Sperrins The cultural and spiritual significance of mass rocks Father Pat McVey on community cohesion and division Irish language, landscape and identity The last Irish-speaking district in Northern Ireland Intangible cultural heritage and what may be lost Community consultation versus desktop studies Can heritage only exist if it can be measured? Reflections inspired by a four-year-old's drawing 🎧 Listen, share and subscribe. If these conversations matter, please help us reach more people by following the podcast, leaving a review and sharing this episode with others interested in heritage, democracy, culture and the future of the Sperrins.   The drawings mentioned in the podcast can be viewed on our Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSperrins SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/        

Today I take a closer look at one of the most fascinating aspects of the Public Inquiry – not the evidence itself, but how that evidence is presented. When does advocacy become narrative building? How are facts framed, emphasised, minimised or reinterpreted? And what should third parties be listening out for as the Inquiry continues? In this episode: How barristers shape narratives without necessarily disputing facts The difference between facts and interpretations of facts Why omitted context can be as important as what is said The debate around cultural and intangible heritage Community consultation – what happened and what didn't The role of commissioners in cutting through competing narratives Support from government departments and local councils for third-party concerns Call to Action If you're finding these daily Public Inquiry updates useful: Follow the podcast on Spotify Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Share the podcast with friends and family Help bring these conversations to a wider audience #PublicInquiry #SaveOurSperrins #Dalradian #CulturalHeritage #PlanningInquiry #EnvironmentalJustice

The Mass Rock, Memory and Corporate Colonialism What is it that makes a place sacred? In this episode I reflect on childhood memories of an ancient ráth in County Kildare and the deep sense of mystery, belonging and connection it inspired. Those memories lead me to the Crockanboy Mass Rock in the Sperrins and a wider question about heritage, community and who gets to decide what places matter. In this episode: The childhood ráth that shaped my understanding of place and belonging Why sacred places matter beyond their physical form The history and significance of the Crockanboy Mass Rock The parallels between British colonialism and modern corporate control of land Heritage, memory and community stewardship Why access to cultural and spiritual sites matters Can a heritage site survive if the connection between people and place is broken? The Mass Rock survived because generations of people remembered, gathered, walked the old paths and kept its stories alive. The question is whether that living connection can survive today. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #MassRock #Crockanboy #Sperrins #IrishHistory #Heritage #CommunityRights

This week I reflect on the growing questions around trust, public accountability and whether public infrastructure is being altered to serve the public interest or private commercial interests. In this episode: • The proposed abandonment of a public road • Public interest versus commercial interest • Road safety and risk • The role of DfI Roads • Communities becoming "receptors" • Confidence in public institutions • Trust, transparency and accountability • Why this inquiry increasingly feels like a debate about democracy itself A look back at the week's hearings and the questions that continue to hang over the process. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins Keep up to date with the campaign  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

The afternoon session moved into the world of planning conditions, trigger points and whether the safeguards attached to major developments are actually capable of protecting communities and public infrastructure. In this episode: • What planning conditions are and why they matter • The six tests that planning conditions are supposed to satisfy • Debate over trigger points and when development should be allowed to commence • Concerns around the abandonment of the existing road network • Questions about what happens if the proposed replacement road fails safety requirements • Discussion around road adoption and the prospect of private roads • The continuing tension between development objectives and public safety • What today's evidence may reveal about the practical reality of enforcing planning conditions A closer look at the detail behind the headlines and what it could mean for local communities, infrastructure and accountability within the planning system.   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins Link to the morning part of this podcast . #PublicInquiry #PlanningSystem #DemocracyMatters #SaveOurSperrins  

Today’s inquiry heard explosive concerns over the proposed abandonment of the old road and its replacement with what many believe is effectively a mining haul road in disguise — a Via Pretensa. From traffic chaos and explosives transport, to access to the historic Mass Rock, human rights, road safety, and accusations that local communities are being turned into a “sacrifice zone”, emotions boiled over inside the hearing room. This episode covers: The reality behind the proposed “replacement” road Safety concerns over mine traffic and explosives transport Access issues surrounding the historic Mass Rock Claims of inadequate road design and safety standards Human rights concerns around access, religion, and rural life Heated exchanges between objectors, consultants, and commissioners

Today at the PAC Inquiry the focus returned once again to the controversial road abandonment and replacement road proposals linked to the Dalradian gold mine application. Questions around process, fairness, engineering standards and public participation continued to grow as third parties challenged both the procedure and the proposed road design itself. In this episode: DfI Roads arrives in force at the Inquiry Ongoing confusion around the “conjoined inquiry” process Questions over whether inquiry rules are being selectively applied Calls for an adjournment after the exclusion of roads expert Doug Hill Debate over tourism impacts and recreational use of the existing road Claims the replacement road design falls below acceptable engineering standards Boy racers, haul roads and “mating circles” Concerns over safety, gradients, fencing and toxic waste infrastructure Why campaigners believe this is not a simple replacement road A daily account from inside the Planning Appeals Commission Inquiry into the proposed Dalradian gold mine in the Sperrins.   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins Sign up to our newsletter  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

Public Inquiry Review of the Week Growing concerns over procedural fairness and democratic accountability Retired engineer Douglas Hill challenges the Roads Abandonment process Local communities defend vital rural infrastructure and public safety DfI neutrality questioned as confidence in the process continues to erode Timetable chaos, cancelled hearings and mounting pressure on campaigners Reflections on environmental justice, public trust and community resistance The latest from the Save Our Sperrins campaign and the Dalradian inquiry New podcast episode available now https://www.dontmineus.com  SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/   #SaveOurSperrins #PublicInquiry #EnvironmentalJustice #NorthernIreland #Dalradian #CommunityVoices #Democracy #PlanningProcess #Podcast #Sperrins

In this episode, I unpack the latest developments at the Dalradian public inquiry, including delays, adjournments, and the withdrawal of the judicial review surrounding the landscape hearings. I also reflect on a powerful discussion with Indigenous climate activist Ariel Deranger and the striking parallels between Indigenous environmental struggles and what communities here in the Sperrins are experiencing today. Topics covered include: • Dalradian public inquiry updates • Judicial review withdrawn • Landscape hearings postponed • Roads inquiry continues • Indigenous climate justice • Rural communities and environmental activism • Planning systems and democracy • Save Our Sperrins campaign • Community rights and environmental protection • The human impact of industrial development This episode explores why communities are increasingly feeling unheard, and why protecting landscape, water, identity, and democracy matters more than ever. Links from this podcast  Https://www.thewovenproject.org [email protected]  SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/  

• Extraordinary scenes from the Roads Inquiry into the proposed abandonment of the U1244 road • Retired senior roads engineer Doug Hill challenges the integrity and compliance of the process • Concerns raised around road safety, visibility, drainage, heavy traffic and emergency access • Questions over democratic accountability, procedural fairness and public confidence • Discussion around the erosion of standards, compliance and duty of candour within public institutions • The growing influence of big business, lobbying and political pressure in Northern Ireland • Why Doug Hill’s intervention became the defining moment of the day • Plus: applications officially open for the completely fictional role of DfI / PAC whistleblower An example of some of Doug's accreditations relevant to the roads inquiry  Accrediated Lead Assessor with HIS (British Standards Institute) For BS 5750 series I SO 9001 & iSO 14001. Quality Management System & Environmental Management System. International Standard Organisation. As a consultant I mentored organisations implementing these standards. I also carried out external audits on companies for BSI. Actually I have carried out a number of audits for Roads Service headquarters in the one plus million West Link DBFO package 1 project. I was the DNSR. Department Nominee Site Representive. I carrying out many internal Audits for Roads Service A4 dialling 118 million project. I was a consultant to roads service and acted as Project Manger. We developed this Scheme and presented to the 2 week Roads Service Public Inquiry. We were hugely successful and the Independent Inspector except our proposal in in entirety and only made two minor recommendations. Roads Service Divisional Roads Manger Mr Pat Doherty described us as his dream team and he thanked me and complimented me frequently by word and by letter. Another relevant professional training was a 3 or 4 day residential Public Inquiry training course in Dublin which I completed with credits. SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrinsing Sign up to the newsletter here    #Sperrins #PublicInquiry #RoadSafety #PlanningAppealsCommission #DFI #NorthernIreland #Democracy #Goldmine #Community #Infrastructure    

Senior roads engineers challenge the handling of the Dalradian road proposals Questions raised over safety, baseline surveys and the use of Section 76 Communities reduced to “receptors” in the language of the Inquiry Witnesses speak openly about feeling dismissed and disrespected Fresh criticism of DfI Roads and the constantly shifting process Concerns over haul roads, school safety, traffic volumes and consultation failures Campaigners accuse the PAC of facilitating strategy rather than scrutinising evidence Another extraordinary day inside the Public Inquiry https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/  

Roads, Questions & Wearing People Down • Another long day inside the Dalradian Public Inquiry • Roads, traffic surveys and Article 11 discussions dominate proceedings • Concerns raised over outdated baseline traffic data from 2015 • Third parties forced to answer before hearing applicant responses • Growing frustration around fairness, process and “equality of arms” • Douglas Hill challenges DfI Roads evidence and lack of updated modelling • Local residents speak about safety, noise, HGVs and rural roads • Questions raised around enforcement, planning conditions and long-term accountability • Section 76 agreements discussed  but who carries the risk when the gold is gone? • Reflections from another exhausting day inside the inquiry room https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

🎙️ Review of the Week — Public Inquiry Podcast This week at the Public Inquiry: • closure bond and long term liability discussions • farming, tourism and environmental concerns • testimony from communities impacted by mining around the world • growing frustration around planning policy and departmental neutrality • ongoing timetable chaos and procedural fairness concerns • the emotional toll this process is taking on local people Another exhausting week in the Sperrins as the inquiry process continues to go round and round. Link to the podcast by Pat and Nuala Gheoghegan - https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/no33-pat-and-nuala-living-living-5-miles-from-europe-s-largest-aluminium-plant/ Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Sperrins #PublicInquiry #EnvironmentalJustice #Mining #ProtectTheSperrins #Podcast #Community #Tourism #Farming #NorthernIreland

PODCAST DESCRIPTION • Chaos and confusion at the Dalradian Gold Mine Public Inquiry • Emergency timetable changes leave legal teams and expert witnesses scrambling • Serious questions raised about the handling of the inquiry by the PAC • Debate erupts over whether Dalradian’s “Dry Stack Facility” is actually a mine waste tailings facility • Department counsel Mr Elvin rejects WM01 waste policy designation during heated exchanges • Concerns raised about neutrality, fairness and equality of arms within the process • Third parties express frustration at the growing disorder and wasted public money • Save Our Sperrins, FODC and legal representatives react to dramatic changes announced by the Commission • A day marked by disbelief, anger and growing concern over the integrity of the process Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Dalradian #SaveOurSperrins #PublicInquiry #GoldMine #Sperrins #EnvironmentalJustice #NorthernIreland #Mining #PlanningProcess #CommunityRights

Inside today’s Public Inquiry hearing: From missing feasibility studies to disputes over “material considerations,” today’s session exposed deep tensions around the proposed Dalradian goldmine in the Sperrins. Expert witnesses face ongoing timetable chaos, tourism voices warn of irreversible damage, and campaigners question whether planning conditions can ever truly protect communities. In this episode: Expert witness attendance disrupted by constant schedule changes Debate over Commonwealth mining feasibility guidelines (CFSG) What “material consideration” actually means in planning law Questions over the absence of a feasibility study Concerns about missing social impact assessments Tourism and heritage fears raised by local speakers Angling, jobs, and the economic value of the Foyle river system Community voices challenge the long-term impacts of mining Discussion on whether planning conditions are enforceable in reality #PublicInquiry #Sperrins #Dalradian #Goldmine #PlanningInquiry #NorthernIreland #Tourism #Environment #Mining #CommunityVoices #Podcast Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ https://dontmineus.com/the-sperrins-podcast/

#57 | Public Inquiry – Day 1 | Week Beginning 12 May 2026 • Public Inquiry timetable chaos and growing frustration among third parties • Commonwealth Mining Feasibility Study Guidelines introduced into proceedings • Questions over transparency, evidence standards and public confidence • Section 76 agreements, financial bonds and perpetual mine waste liability • Debate around the “Dry Stack Facility” tailings dump • Agriculture, farming, food safety and environmental concerns raised • Mental health impacts and community testimony heard at the Inquiry • Voices from campaigners, experts, farmers and affected residents Truth spoken to power from the heart of the Sperrins. ✊   https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/no40-voice-value-and-who-gets-heard-a-conversation-with-dermot-devlin/ https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/no33-pat-and-nuala-living-living-5-miles-from-europe-s-largest-aluminium-plant/ Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Public Inquiry #Sperrins #Stop The Mine #Environmental Justice #Ireland News

🎙️ Conversations beyond the headlines. • Campaigns, communities & environmental justice • Politics, planning & truth spoken to power • Long-form discussions with campaigners, experts & guests • Real stories from the frontlines of the fight to protect the Sperrins Top 25% global podcast | 10,000+ downloads ✊ https://dontmineus.com/the-sperrins-podcast/ Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

This week the inquiry moved deep into the economics, financial structures and long-term liabilities behind the Dalradian gold mine proposal. In this episode: • Missing feasibility studies and inaccessible economic models • Questions around Wheaton, royalties, offshore structures and profit flows • Claims about jobs, wages and local economic benefit challenged • DfI accused of failing to carry out proper due diligence • Gold laundering concerns raised at the inquiry • 44,000 tonnes of explosives discussed • Unanswered questions around policing costs and public liability • Mine closure, acid mine drainage and who pays decades later If you missed the daily episodes, this is the full end-of-week breakdown bringing together the major themes, moments and unanswered questions from the inquiry so far. https://dontmineus.com/public-inquiry-2/ #PACInquiry #SaveOurSperrins #Dalradian #GoldMine #NorthernIreland #EnvironmentalJustice #PlanningInquiry #Mining #Podcast

Another extraordinary day at the public inquiry. Today’s episode covered some huge issues surrounding the proposed gold mine  from gold laundering risks and due diligence to explosives, policing costs and mine closure liabilities. Topics covered: Gold concentrate royalties and traceability The Galantas whistleblower case Shell companies and corporate structures NCA and OECD warnings on gold laundering DfI’s response on due diligence 44,000 tonnes of explosives Policing costs and national security concerns Extensive blasting proposals Mine closure bonds and restoration costs https://www.dontmineus.com  Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

Conflict of interest raised involving DFI counsel and Landmark Chambers What Landmark Chambers actually are — and why that matters Inside the £75 million deal between Dalradian and Wheaton How Dalradian may now effectively be a shell company The reality of gold being sold at just 18% of market value Missing details: where is the gold actually being processed? Unanswered questions around £620,000 bulk sample money Multiple royalty agreements — who is really getting paid? Public money breakdown: grants, police costs, environmental funding No forensic accountant used — despite complexity of proposal Employment promises described as vague and unenforceable “Creative accounting” concerns raised by economic expert Powerful human moments from those directly affected Growing frustration from local people attending daily Big question raised: future tax implications & Irish unification Link to the website - https://dontmineus.com/ Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Public Inquiry #Sperrins #Stop The Mine #Environmental Justice #Ireland News

What are you supposed to do when you’re asked to trust a process… but deep down you believe that process is fundamentally flawed? This episode comes straight from Day 4 of the Socio-Economic section of the Public Inquiry into the proposed gold mine in the Sperrins. I left the Inquiry tired, frustrated, and questioning everything—then went for a walk on the mountain, one of the very places under threat. That walk brought me back to why I’m doing this at all. This is part reflection, part reality check, and part record of what’s actually happening inside that room. In this episode: Why we believe many of the 127 questions simply can’t be answered properly The ongoing issue of missing data and basic information What we mean by the “Phantom Feasibility Study” The continued use of reports already described as “obsolete” and “no longer valid” The sense that what’s unfolding feels more like performance than process The cost financial and otherwise of dragging this out What it feels like to sit through it as a member of the public The moment on the mountain that brought me back to my “why” Thinking ahead 20 years and who we’ll have to answer to Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

A step back as hearings pause and the Inquiry prepares to resume Where things stand: slow progress and key questions still unanswered Ongoing concerns around the economic case, missing information, and environmental gaps What to watch as proceedings get back underway A reflection on the past week and the strength of community support Why family, presence, and shared values continue to carry this campaign 👉 Listen now and stay informed as the Inquiry continues Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/   #Public Inquiry #Sperrins #Stop The Mine #Environmental Justice #Ireland News

🔍 Key Issues This Week: ❗ No current feasibility study underpinning the project 📊 Economic case based on unseen data and a “spreadsheet” not available to the public 💰 Gold valuation claims not adding up — major gaps between industry norms and projections 🏛️ Department for Infrastructure under pressure over process, preparedness, and oversight ⚖️ Public inquiry fairness questioned — limited time, delayed topics, restricted participation 📉 Only 23 of 155 questions answered — progress slower than expected 🧾 Missing and incomplete documentation across environmental and economic areas 🌍 Unclear environmental impact — gaps in carbon data, waste planning, and long-term risk 🔄 Confusion over what’s actually being mined — gold vs multiple minerals 💼 Local economic benefit unclear — profits expected to leave the region 🚨 What This Means: A process that appears under strain Key decisions being discussed without full information Growing concerns around transparency, accountability, and public trust Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Public Inquiry #Sperrins #Stop The Mine #Environmental Justice #Ireland News

Shakespeare meets the Public Inquiry “All the world’s a stage”… and today, the barristers played their part Timetable chaos as the inquiry struggles to keep pace New information admitted—without time to review or respond Economic model under scrutiny: based on unseen data Gold… or gold concentrate? The numbers start to unravel Growing concerns over fairness, transparency, and process Third parties “limping along like a wounded animal” Questions raised about oral submissions with no paper trail A day that veered from serious to surreal 👉 Follow the podcast for daily updates from inside the inquiry 👉 Share to keep the spotlight on what’s really happening Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ #Public Inquiry #Sperrins #Stop The Mine #Environmental Justice #Ireland News

Focus on economic modelling behind the Dalradian application Serious questions raised about overly optimistic projections Concerns around lack of real-world grounding and evidence Independent expert Mr Burgess (FODC) casts doubt on financial claims Key issue: Who actually benefits from the profits? Gold value driving projections — but wealth largely leaves the local area Community impact questioned: jobs, local economy, real benefit? Strong intervention from Sean Clarke (Mid Ulster Council) Concerns about job displacement and pressure on existing businesses Inquiry timeline may be extended significantly Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ 👉 Follow the podcast for daily insights from inside the Public Inquiry 👉 Share to keep awareness growing

Key questions raised by Mary Brolly at the public inquiry Is the Dalradian Gold application fully grounded in the documents before the Commission? Can the process withstand robust scrutiny? Concerns highlighted: Gaps in transboundary consultation Absence of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) What this means for transparency, accountability, and public trust Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ Call to Action: 👉 Follow the podcast for daily insights from the inquiry 👉 Share this episode to keep the conversation going

End of Week 1 at the not-so-public Public Inquiry Key issues emerging: Cyanide  not gone, just repositioned? Missing environmental assessments Late submissions & document overload Ongoing concerns around fairness and access A process that feels complex, contested… and far from clear Community voice strong but under pressure Big questions still unanswered Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ 👉 Follow the podcast for daily/weekly updates as the inquiry unfolds 👉 Share to keep others informed

Day 3 of the Public Inquiry — and the process is starting to reveal itself Questions drip-fed throughout the day, with departments (DFI / DOE) under scrutiny Ongoing issue: unauthorised infill and potential failure to comply with planning conditions Key concern: development may have bypassed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Cyanide resurfaces — despite assumptions it was gone Proposed condition: no cyanide permitted on site at any stage Debate deferred to mine waste session Major gap exposed: no independent Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Why it matters: without an HRA, a project cannot legally proceed if habitats are at risk Wide-ranging discussions from precautionary principle to turbary rights & Crown Estate Conflict of interest concerns raised  including oversight of work by original project designers A process that raises more questions the deeper you go Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ 👉 Follow the podcast for daily updates from inside the inquiry

  🎙️ Public Inquiry Podcast – Day 2 ⚖️ NIEA late evidence accepted by the PAC 🗂️ Decision based on SOC + rebuttals, not new material ⏱️ Ongoing concerns around time + fairness 📊 Key details still unclear across the project ☣️ Cyanide question not going away Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ 👉 Daily updates from inside the inquiry 📢 Follow & share to stay informed

In this episode: ⚖️ Legal challenges over fairness + admissibility of new evidence 📂 95 new documents dropped late – not enough time to respond? 🌍 Questions over cross-border consultation failures 🌱 Environmental assessment delays – could be “bolted on” later ⛏️ Confusion over what’s actually being mined 📉 Gaps in the economic case + project clarity 🏠 Concerns mining could extend under homes without consent 💷 Who monitors the mine? No clear accountability From yellow umbrellas outside to serious questions inside  👉 Follow the Save Our Sperrins Podcast for daily, on-the-ground updates 📢 Share to keep others informed Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/

In this solo episode of the Save Our Sperrins Podcast, Save Our Sperrins responds to the latest marketing campaign released by Dalradian Gold, offering a calm and forensic examination of the claims being made about jobs, prosperity, and regional regeneration. Set against rising living costs, pressure on public services, and growing climate instability, this episode explores how extractive industries use narrative, timing, and emotion to position private mining projects as solutions to public crises. The episode contrasts promotional messaging with documented evidence from Ireland, highlighting what is often omitted from corporate storytelling: environmental risk, public cost, long-term liability, and community impact. Sos is calling for  honesty, evidence, and long-term thinking in decisions that will shape landscapes, water systems, and communities for generations.It is if you like, a  clear-eyed reality check  and a reminder that some lines are worth holding. #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights   📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story -Have a listen, and if you have time  hit the  follow button  5 stars and a review on the podcast app , and please share if you can. it really makes a difference to the algorithm  SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )       https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc    

The public inquiry into gold mining in the Sperrins is about to begin  and this podcast is entering a new phase. After 40 episodes building the story, trust, and understanding behind the campaign, we’re now moving into real-time coverage of what happens next. From here on, expect short, regular updates from the inquiry: What happened What it means What to watch next Follow the podcast to stay informed throughout the inquiry  and share it with anyone trying to make sense of what’s happening. This podcast follows the campaign to protect the Sperrin Mountains from proposed gold mining. Sign up to our newsletter here  https://dontmineus.com/newslatter/ SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins    

In this episode, I sit down with disability rights advocate, TEDx speaker, and campaigner Dermot Devlin to explore what it means to be heard in systems that aren’t always designed to listen. Originally from Greencastle, Dermot brings a powerful mix of lived experience, sharp insight, and every day honesty  working across grassroots activism, practical change, and policy influence. This conversation  opens up bigger questions about voice, power, and participation in society. 🔍 In the  episode, we explore: What “access”  means beyond the obvious Who gets included in decisions  and who gets left out The reality of consultation vs genuine participation Parallels between disability advocacy and community struggles Why economic arguments so often override everything else What a truly inclusive, healthy community might look like 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with anyone interested in environmental justice, public participation and the future of the Sperrins. 💬 Share your thoughts on the public inquiry process  ➕  Follow the podcast by hitting the follow button 🔁 Repost to raise awareness #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast   LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  https://youtube.com/@mywayaccess?si=St0MI6ygdj5iN9qN   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   Save Our Sperrins YouTube Channel    https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc  

What does public participation actually mean when major environmental decisions are being made? In this episode I’m joined by Laura Neale,  a senior  lawyer with Friends of the Earth . She is based in the organisation’s Belfast office and works on strategic litigation relevant to the issues that affect Northern Ireland. She is passionate about working alongside communities in the region to protect people, planet and place. Today Laura  unpacks two international agreements that are designed  to protect the public’s role in environmental decision-making: the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention. In this conversation we explore: What the Aarhus Convention actually guarantees ordinary people What meaningful public participation should look like in practice How the Espoo Convention applies when environmental impacts cross borders The difference between participation in theory and participation in reality What happens when practical barriers no online access, no recordings, restrictions on attendance  limit who can take part Whether international environmental rights are being fully realised on the ground At its heart, this episode asks a simple question: When decisions affect the air people breathe, the water they drink and the land they live on  who gets to be in the room? 🎧 Listen now and share this episode with anyone interested in environmental justice, public participation and the future of the Sperrins. 💬 Share your thoughts on the public inquiry process  ➕  Follow the podcast by hitting the follow button 🔁 Repost to raise awareness #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast   LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  links to the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention Here’s a briefing on FoE’s recent complaint to the Aarhus Compliance Committee. Although it relates to the specifics of that complaint, there’s some interesting overview points that might be of use. You can find it here. Also, here is a recent response from the NI Department of Justice on the issue of Aarhus Compliance in Northern Ireland.   If this topic interests you, you might also want to check out: Episode #7 – Human Rights in the Hills: Defending the Defenders https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/human-rights-in-the-hills-mary-lawlor-on-defending-the-defenders/ Episode #35 – When Public Isn’t Public https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/no35-when-public-isn-t-public-a-conversation-with-gerard-moyne-and-sean-harkin/   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   Save Our Sperrins YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc  

What if the land we call empty is anything but? In this episode, artist Emily McFarland brings the bog into focus, as a living archive of memory, water and deep time. Why peatlands are far more than “marginal land” The bog as witness  holding carbon, history and story How art can challenge the language of progress and development What gets lost when landscapes are reduced to resource A different way of seeing  and listening  to the land beneath our feet 👉 If this episode resonates, follow the podcast and share it with others  it’s how these conversations travel. LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  Links to the  exhibition at the Void and a reading list that might be interesting for listeners too.  www.derryvoid.com/exhibitions/pollanroeburn-emilymcfarland/ www.derryvoid.com/reading-list-pollanroe-burn-emily-mcfarland/ Contact: [email protected]   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   Save Our Sperrins YouTube Channel    https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc    

Ann-Louise Bresnahan of Save The Moat – Save The Sperrins joins me to talk about the proposed industrial-scale wind development on the Moat, part of the Mullaghs in the central Sperrins ,  an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty now facing major upland industrialisation. What begins as a conversation about turbines opens out into something much wider. We discuss peatlands and carbon capture, water, grid infrastructure, data centres and the rising energy demands of Big Tech. We look at extractivism in its modern form,  how rural landscapes are being redesignated as energy zones and what that means for biodiversity, cultural heritage, community health and democratic process. This episode asks difficult but necessary questions about the so-called green transition: who benefits, who carries the burden, and what kind of future is being shaped for the Sperrins. #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story -Have a listen, and if you have time  hit the  follow button  5 stars and a review on the podcast app , and please share if you can. it really makes a difference to the algorithm    LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  1. Mullaghclogher/ Save The Moat objection link Mullaghclogher Wind Factory – Save The Moat campaign. Background on the proposed Mullaghclogher wind factory in the central Sperrins, why local people are opposing it, and how to submit an objection or get involved. www.savethemoat.com 2. Petition – No New Data Centres in NI No New Data Centres in NI – petition I’ve signed this petition calling on the NI Executive to stop power-hungry data centres in Northern Ireland and put communities, climate and energy security first. https://my.actnowni.org/petitions/no-power-hungry-data-centres-in-northern-ireland?source=web_share_api&utm_source=web_share_api&share=e0c049e5-5164-467a-9cee-34755f58def9   3. Save The Moat – Facebook and Instagram pages Updates, events and resources from our community-led campaign to protect The Moat and the wider Sperrins from industrialisation. https://www.facebook.com/share/18Hw3CMqhb/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/save_the_moat?igsh=MWY5bjVyaWcxbm10cA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr     A podcast to link to; is my conversation with Gerry McGovern where he talks about the myth of the green transition in more detail . Episode No. 31    The Cost of the Green Transition   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins     Save Our Sperrins YouTube Channel  https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc    

In this episode, I speak with Nuskmata , Jacinda Mack  Indigenous land defender from the Nlaka’pamux and Secwépemc peoples, and a long-standing advocate for reform in the global mining industry. We return to the 2014 Mount Polley mine disaster, when a tailings dam collapsed into the Fraser River watershed. More than a decade on, the consequences are still unfolding. Communities lost food sources that had sustained them for generations. Questions remain about water quality. How the clean up is only partial and the effects of the dam burst that will last for hundreds of years if not for ever .  We talk about what it means when a mine waste tailings facility  within twenty years. How the promised prosperity for the mine  did not materialise in the way it was sold. Higher-paid jobs largely went to those flown in and out, while local people were left with the social strain  increased alcohol, drugs, prostitution  and the fracture of community life. Nuskmata shares her experience as spokesperson for the Northern Secwépemc Tribal Council after the disaster, her work shaping Indigenous mining policy, and her ongoing efforts to centre Indigenous rights, environmental protection and accountability in extractive industries worldwide. 📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story -Have a listen, and if you have time  hit the  follow button  5 stars and a review on the podcast app , and please share if you can. it really makes a difference to the algorithm    LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  https://open.spotify.com/album/78aNBVp2xfXkqjH4VM72Ew?si=YLUsqAj8S5acC4rnop91nQ Link to album with which Nusmaka collaborated with on  - specifically tracks 2,4, 9  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Iwf1AuZCQ Dr. Ray Kostaschuk, a geoscientist specialising in sedimentary processes in rivers, lakes and estuaries, presented to the PH Wildlife Society on February 21st, 2023 the environmental impacts of the Mount Polley Mine tailing dam catastrophe. https://youtu.be/P2dUNMcvDLI?si=T6MO8Tl4jXjbiJq9   Mount Polley  is the most significant environmental mining disaster in Canadian history. Seven years later, there have still been no charges or fines issued against Mount Polley for the disaster. Instead, Mount Polley has received permits to pollute by being allowed a mine wastewater discharge pipe into Quesnel Lake. Concerned Citizen of Quesnel Lake want the pipe removed.   Link to Dr Steven Emerman podcast No.23  https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/dr-steven-h-emerman-%e2%80%93-the-science-of-failure-truth-risk-and-responsibility/   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc   #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights

In this episode, I speak with Gerard Moyne and Sean Gallagher, residents of Donegal living downstream from the proposed Dalradian gold mine in the Sperrins. Our conversation centres on the transboundary issues that led to the suspension of the recent Public Inquiry  and what that moment reveals about fairness, participation and environmental governance. We explore the principles behind the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention, and what they require when a project in one jurisdiction may affect communities in another. What does meaningful public participation actually look like? When is a Public Inquiry truly public? Gerard and Sean share their experience of preparing a submission on potential cross-border impacts and the decision to bring that submission directly to the Planning Appeals Commission in order to highlight what they believed were gaps in the consultation process. We also reflect on a deeper question that has surfaced repeatedly during this planning application: why are ordinary citizens so often the ones raising concerns about compliance with environmental law? Why does it fall to members of the public to scrutinise the fundamentals  the safety of water, land and air?   #dontmineus #SaveOurSperrins #notoxicmining  #EnvironmentPodcast #JusticePodcast #ActivismPodcast #IrishPodcast #HumanRights   📣 Share, review, and help amplify our story -Have a listen, and if you have time  hit the  follow button  5 stars and a review on the podcast app , and please share if you can. it really makes a difference to the algorithm    LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW  #No.23 Dr Steven H. Emerman – The Science of Failure: Truth, Risk, and Responsibility link below  https://buttonsoptions4u.podbean.com/e/dr-steven-h-emerman-%e2%80%93-the-science-of-failure-truth-risk-and-responsibility/   SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)  https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins   https://www.youtube.com/@SaveOurSperrins   LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES  http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/ Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction. https://yestolifenotomining.org/ The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169 Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block. This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland  to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this   LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about   https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc