ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have voiced fears over the future of one of the Sperrin Mountains’ most famous peaks after a mining firm carried out recent survey work in the area.
Concerns have been heightened after Australian firm Walkabout Resources Ltd carried out work in the Slieve Gallion area in recent months.
The mountain dominates the south Derry skyline and can be seen over a wide area.
The distinctive mountain top was made famous by James McGarvey in the song, Slieve Gallion Breas.
Concerned locals and assembly member Patsy McGlone recently met with Department for the Economy and Geological Survey Northern Ireland officials to discuss mineral exploration in the Moneymore and Desertmartin areas.
That sit down followed two public meetings in the Desertmartin and Draperstown areas in recent weeks.
Walkabout Resources Ltd have said on their website that data gathered in the north is currently being processed.
They say that once “final targets have been located” statutory permissions and environmental approvals will be applied for and a consultation process will be opened.
A spokesman for local pressure group Fact Finding Slieve Gallion last night said local people are concerned.
“What we heard at those meetings drove us to start looking into the issue of this further and this has us really afraid of what could potentially lay ahead should this get going,” he said.
An online petition opposing mineral mining in the area has so far attracted more than 400 signatures.
Similar concerns have been raised by local people over plans to by Canadian firm Dalradian Gold to develop a gold mine in Greencastle, Co Tyrone, which is around 14 miles away.
A spokesman for Walkabout Resources Ltd said: “Walkabout carries out all of its activities with regard to international best practice procedures and complies with all in country legal and environmental requirements, including consultation with local government and communities.”
He said that the firm plans to meet “a range of stakeholders to ensure that the local community is informed of our plans at all times”.
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