Recently, the Department for the Economy (DfE) granted seven mining licences, which gives companies such as Karelian Diamond Resources to prospect for precious metals across large swathes of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
Areas that were due to be impacted included: Brookeborough, Tempo, Fivemiletown, Augher, Clogher and other areas in east Fermanagh and south Tyrone.
However, these licences have now been relinguished as the Department failed to place a notice about thier intention to grant these licences in the Belfast Gazette.
By law, notices relating to mineral prospecting must be placed in newspapers and the online public notice service, the Belfast Gazette.
However, for the latter, this didn’t happen due to an “oversight”, and as a result, the DfE have said that applications must be resubmitted and a new 12-week consultation will be required.
A DfE spokesman said: “Following a 12-week public consultation the Department for the Economy granted seven Mineral Prospecting Licences (MPLs) in May 2025.
“Public notices of the intention to grant the MPLs were passed to the Belfast Gazette but were not published, as required under the Mineral Development Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.
“Following legal advice on this oversight, the Department has now sought approval of the Licensees to relinquish the MPLs which has been agreed.
“If applications are resubmitted, a new 12-week consultation will be required.”
Indepedent councillor, Kevin McElvogue has urged the Department to reconsider the granting of mining licences.
“While the recent development may offer temporary relief, it’s clear that the department responsible for mineral licensing has disregarded the strong opposition from the local community and the thousands of individuals who objected to these projects in East Tyrone and beyond,” he said.
“I urge the department to reconsider authorising further mineral licensing for exploration, as continued disregard for public sentiment will likely lead to significant resistance and conflict.
“The community’s concerns and objections should be given due consideration to ensure that their voices are heard and valued.”
Anti-mining group, Communities Against Mining, which opposes mining in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, has welcomed the development.
“Due to the pressure put on the Department they have now requested that the four companies, including Dalradian, who recently were awarded mineral prospecting licences relinquish them by the end of today’s business day,” a spokesman said.
“This highlights once again the continuing failures of government departments and how it is left to groups like CAM and their supporters to monitor and hold these departments to account.
“We are delighted with our successful members of CAM and their highlighting this which has brought about this successful challenge of the current ongoing failures.
“Another success in our ongoing battle to protect the Sperrins and Mid-Ulster and all communities affected by the blight of these mining companies and their relentless greed.”
