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Dalradian Issues Second Responsible Business Report

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Dalradian

18th Jan 2022

Report highlights planning progress and mining’s critical role in sustainability

Dalradian has published its second Responsible Business report (2020) providing a detailed overview of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. The report also details the project’s progress through the planning system, including the referral of the planning application to a Public Local Inquiry.

Key achievements during 2020 included no non-compliant environmental or health and safety events, certification for the second year in row as Carbon Neutral Plus and the provision of 2,000 hours of staff training.

Up until the end of 2020 Dalradian has used more than 530 local suppliers, provided more than £900K to over 500 community groups and invested £130M in the project.

The report also welcomed the growing acceptance in Government that modern mining has a critical role to play in tackling climate change and creating a sustainable future. It’s now acknowledged that decarbonising the economy will only be possible if the mining sector can meet the increasing demand for metals essential to renewables technology.

Patrick F.N. Anderson, CEO of Dalradian, said:

“Our second Responsible Business report provides a thorough understanding of our proposed underground gold-copper-silver mine from an environmental, community and economic perspective.

“As part of our commitment to transparency, this year’s report is referenced to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) framework, which identifies the issues most relevant to our industry.

“There’s also a substantial section on climate change, covering the steps we are taking to minimise the impacts of our existing and future operations.

“With the project’s positive economic and social impact, plus our commitment to deliver a hi-tech, environmentally responsible mine, this is a once-in-a generation opportunity for Tyrone that will drive economic growth and community development in the local area and beyond.”

Brian Kelly, Dalradian’s MD, said:

“Our focus during 2020 and into 2021 was to complete the consultation on our planning application for an underground mine. This has entailed providing extensive studies on environmental, economic and social matters, plus in-depth reviews by more than 30 statutory consultees.

“Completion of the consultation was marked in September 2021 by referral of the main application and associated powerline and road abandonment applications to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) for a Public Local Inquiry (PLI). This is a key stage for our regionally significant application and allows for a further independent review of the project by the PAC’s experts.”

The report outlines the strategic importance of mining and minerals to achieving a shift from society’s current brown economy which is dependent on fossil fuels, to a green economy fuelled by sustainable sources.

At present the UK imports nearly 100% of its gold as well as almost all of its copper and silver. Copper has been included on the UK’s critical minerals list and an All-Party Group on Critical Minerals has been created at Westminster to support policy development.

Mr. Kelly added:

“The need to domestically source raw materials has been recognized by many governments around the world, including both the UK and Republic of Ireland.

“In Dublin the Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan, has recognised the critical role that minerals “will play in our transition to net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality by 2050[1]” and that simply recycling minerals will not meet demand.

“In London, when he was Business Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, noted “the critical place that minerals have and how essential they are if we are to become that net zero nation by 2050[2].”

“Dalradian is pleased that we are getting closer to realizing our goal of building and operating a world-leading modern mine in Tyrone. This will be a transformative economic boost for our community and will also support the mining sector’s global contribution to creating sustainable societies and economies.”