Transboundary environmental justice: Gold mining in the Sperrin mountains
Publications: Justice, Rights and Nature
On 15 January 2025, a public inquiry into the controversial Curraghinalt Gold Mine application in Co. Tyrone was suspended due to the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure’s failure to notify the Irish Government and conduct required transboundary consultation. The mine, the largest in the island’s history, is located in an environmentally sensitive area, including the River Foyle and River Finn Special Areas of Conservation, posing potential risks to ecosystems in both Northern Ireland and Donegal.
On 30 January 2025, the Department for Infrastructure notified the Irish Government, prompting a request for transboundary consultation. This allows Irish citizens, civil society groups, and public bodies to comment on the proposal. The failure to properly conduct consultation raises significant environmental justice concerns. This briefing paper aims to explain the mining application, the consultation process, and the importance of transboundary consultation in this context.
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