Representatives of Mid Ulster District Council have objected to a planning application submitted by Dalradian Gold for a new gold mine in Co Tyrone.
While the controversial project in the Sperrins just falls short of the Mid Ulster council boundaries, the proposed gold mine between Gortin and Greencastle runs near to the area.
The planning application, which was originally proposed in 2017, is currently under the consideration of the Department of Infrastructure. It has confirmed the application will be subject to a public inquiry.
A report provided to the council’s Planning Committee recommended an objection to the proposed application, citing the "long term visual impact and issues of concern relating to volumes of traffic".
The report’s recommendation was backed by eight members of the committee with five voting against.
The council's Head of Planning, Dr Chris Boomer, added the objection did not need to be progressed to a full meeting of the council as the Planning Committee had full delegation on planning matters.
SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said: “This is an area of natural beauty, this is the land that we want to keep for generations to come.
"We just can’t let people come in and destroy it and take our natural resources out and move it on for profit.
“That’s all this is for a company like this, to help their profit margins. I think a public inquiry is the way to go and I think a lot of things will be found out.
“It may not come in to our council area but we can certainly see it, and I don’t look at Tyrone and Derry as being part of one council area or another council area, we all share it, we’re all part of it and we all take our trips on a Sunday or a Saturday up the mountains on these walks.”
Objecting to the application, Sinn Fein councillor Cathal Mallaghan said the "real gold that exists in the Sperrins is in its natural beauty".
Cllr Mallaghan added: “Whenever you visit the Gortin Glen Forest Park or Davagh you’ll see what this council and Fermanagh & Omagh council have been doing in order to boost the tourism product that’s happening in this area.
“Anything that would jeopardise or do harm to that is not good for this area.”
The Canadian company previously modified its application to remove the use of cyanide in its gold extraction and has argued that the mine will bring local jobs and economic benefits.
However, opposition groups have said they will continue to oppose the plans on fears it will damage the environment and ruin the scenic beauty of the area.
No date has yet been set for when the public inquiry, which will be handled by the Planning Appeals Commission, is due to begin.
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