Bunaíodh an feachtas 'Sábháil Ár Speiríní' nó 'Save Our Sperrins' in 2015 nuair a d’fhoghlaim an pobal áitiúil go raibh pleananna ag Dalradian Gold mianach óir a thógáil ar an sliabhraon. Bheadh an mianach lonnaithe ar an Chaisleán Glas, taobh amuigh den Ómaigh in iarthar Thír Eoghain.
Tá fás agus forbairt tagtha ar an fheachtas ó shin agus tá an pobal taobh thiar de ag maíomh go ndéanfadh sé seo dochar nach beag don aer, don uisce, don talamh agus do shláinte fhisiciúil daoine áitiúla. Bíonn an coiste ag forbairt i rith ama agus iad i mbun taighde leanúnach i dtaca le cúrsaí dlí ionas go mbeidh na hacmhainní cearta acu.
D'fhreastail Meon Eile ar chruinniú poiblí de chuid an fheachtais ar na mallaibh in ionad Chumann Lúthchleas Gael an Chaisleáin Ghlais. Phléigh an coiste forbairt agus dul chun cinn an fheachtais go dtí seo agus fógraíodh go gcuirfear fiosrúcháin phoiblí ar bun i mí Mheán an Fhómhair. Deis mhaith a bhí ann tuilleadh eolais a scaipeadh i measc mhuintir na háite agus soiléiríodh na céimeanna atá le glacadh i dtaobh ráiteas a thabhairt agus ceisteanna a chur.
Beidh clinic comhairle á reáchtáil ag an choiste ar an 6 Aibreán, áit ar féidir comhairle ar leith a fháil ar an dóigh is fearr chun ráiteas fóirsteanach a scríobh. Is ar thaithí phearsanta a dhíreoidh na ráitis, chomh maith leis na dóigheanna a n-imreoidh an mianach óir tionchar ar shaolta mhuintir an cheantair. Tá fáilte roimh chách.
Tá Crowdfunder ar bun ag Sábháil Ár Speiríní ar féidir tacú leis anseo. Is féidir an feachtas a leanstan ar Facebook, Twitter agus ar Instagram.
Chuaigh Meon Eile i dteagmháil le Dalradian Gold, an eagraíocht i mbun an mhianaigh óir. Seo thíos an ráiteas a chuir siad chugainn:
A spokesperson for Dalradian said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the release of the schedule by the Planning Appeals Commission of the public inquiry process on our planning application for a modern, underground, polymetallic mine in Tyrone. This is one of the final steps in the planning process that started in 2016.
“A public inquiry is a standard procedure and critical milestone for regionally significant applications such as Dalradian’s and one we fully support. The inquiry will provide another opportunity for the project and its associated social, economic and environmental considerations to be scrutinised by independent experts and provide another forum for review of public representations. This is one of the most comprehensive planning applications in Northern Ireland and reflects the extensive amount of environmental information submitted.
“Approval of the project will initiate one of the largest-ever US investments in Northern Ireland: over $1 billion to develop and operate the project, creating a host of new opportunities for Tyrone. Our application can aid in establishing a “Centre of Excellence” to boost local manufacturers already producing equipment for both mineral production and environmental protection. The proposed carbon neutral mine will produce copper, gold and silver, metals that are contributing to our shift to net zero through renewable technology.
“Following the inquiry hearing, the PAC will prepare a report for the Department for Infrastructure to consider in making their final decision. If approved, the project will deliver jobs, training, investment, community development, and supplier opportunities on a much larger scale for the region.”