The Sperrins: Mining, Power & Community in Northern Ireland

10,000 Downloads Later… Truth Still Speaks to Power ✊🎙️

🎙️ Conversations beyond the headlines.
• Campaigns, communities & environmental justice• Politics, planning & truth spoken to power• Long-form discussions with campaigners, experts & guests• Real stories from the frontlines of the fight to protect the Sperrins
Top 25% global podcast | 10,000+ downloads ✊
https://dontmineus.com/the-sperrins-podcast/

#No55.🎙️ Public Inquiry - Week 4 in Review 9th May 2026

This week the inquiry moved deep into the economics, financial structures and long-term liabilities behind the Dalradian gold mine proposal.
In this episode:
• Missing feasibility studies and inaccessible economic models• Questions around Wheaton, royalties, offshore structures and profit flows• Claims about jobs, wages and local economic benefit challenged• DfI accused of failing to carry out proper due diligence• Gold laundering concerns raised at the inquiry• 44,000 tonnes of explosives discussed• Unanswered questions around policing costs and public liability• Mine closure, acid mine drainage and who pays decades later
If you missed the daily episodes, this is the full end-of-week breakdown bringing together the major themes, moments and unanswered questions from the inquiry so far.
https://dontmineus.com/public-inquiry-2/
#PACInquiry #SaveOurSperrins #Dalradian #GoldMine #NorthernIreland #EnvironmentalJustice #PlanningInquiry #Mining #Podcast

#No.54🎙️ Public Inquiry Week 4 Day 3

Another extraordinary day at the public inquiry.
Today’s episode covered some huge issues surrounding the proposed gold mine  from gold laundering risks and due diligence to explosives, policing costs and mine closure liabilities.
Topics covered:
Gold concentrate royalties and traceability
The Galantas whistleblower case
Shell companies and corporate structures
NCA and OECD warnings on gold laundering
DfI’s response on due diligence
44,000 tonnes of explosives
Policing costs and national security concerns
Extensive blasting proposals
Mine closure bonds and restoration costs
https://www.dontmineus.com 

#No 53🎙️ Public Inquiry - Week 4 Day 2

Conflict of interest raised involving DFI counsel and Landmark Chambers
What Landmark Chambers actually are — and why that matters
Inside the £75 million deal between Dalradian and Wheaton
How Dalradian may now effectively be a shell company
The reality of gold being sold at just 18% of market value
Missing details: where is the gold actually being processed?
Unanswered questions around £620,000 bulk sample money
Multiple royalty agreements — who is really getting paid?
Public money breakdown: grants, police costs, environmental funding
No forensic accountant used — despite complexity of proposal
Employment promises described as vague and unenforceable
“Creative accounting” concerns raised by economic expert
Powerful human moments from those directly affected
Growing frustration from local people attending daily
Big question raised: future tax implications & Irish unification
Link to the website - https://dontmineus.com/
#Public Inquiry
#Sperrins
#Stop The Mine
#Environmental Justice
#Ireland News

#No.52🎙️. Public Inquiry - Week 4 Day 1

What are you supposed to do when you’re asked to trust a process…but deep down you believe that process is fundamentally flawed?
This episode comes straight from Day 4 of the Socio-Economic section of the Public Inquiry into the proposed gold mine in the Sperrins.
I left the Inquiry tired, frustrated, and questioning everything—then went for a walk on the mountain, one of the very places under threat. That walk brought me back to why I’m doing this at all.
This is part reflection, part reality check, and part record of what’s actually happening inside that room.
In this episode:
Why we believe many of the 127 questions simply can’t be answered properly
The ongoing issue of missing data and basic information
What we mean by the “Phantom Feasibility Study”
The continued use of reports already described as “obsolete” and “no longer valid”
The sense that what’s unfolding feels more like performance than process
The cost financial and otherwise of dragging this out
What it feels like to sit through it as a member of the public
The moment on the mountain that brought me back to my “why”
Thinking ahead 20 years and who we’ll have to answer to

#No 51🎙️. Public Inquiry no hearing : A week of community and reflection

A step back as hearings pause and the Inquiry prepares to resume
Where things stand: slow progress and key questions still unanswered
Ongoing concerns around the economic case, missing information, and environmental gaps
What to watch as proceedings get back underway
A reflection on the past week and the strength of community support
Why family, presence, and shared values continue to carry this campaign
👉 Listen now and stay informed as the Inquiry continues
 
#Public Inquiry
#Sperrins
#Stop The Mine
#Environmental Justice
#Ireland News

#No.50 🎙️ Public Inquiry -Week 2 in Review 25th April 2026

🔍 Key Issues This Week:
❗ No current feasibility study underpinning the project
📊 Economic case based on unseen data and a “spreadsheet” not available to the public
💰 Gold valuation claims not adding up — major gaps between industry norms and projections
🏛️ Department for Infrastructure under pressure over process, preparedness, and oversight
⚖️ Public inquiry fairness questioned — limited time, delayed topics, restricted participation
📉 Only 23 of 155 questions answered — progress slower than expected
🧾 Missing and incomplete documentation across environmental and economic areas
🌍 Unclear environmental impact — gaps in carbon data, waste planning, and long-term risk
🔄 Confusion over what’s actually being mined — gold vs multiple minerals
💼 Local economic benefit unclear — profits expected to leave the region
🚨 What This Means:
A process that appears under strain
Key decisions being discussed without full information
Growing concerns around transparency, accountability, and public trust
#Public Inquiry
#Sperrins
#Stop The Mine
#Environmental Justice
#Ireland News

#No.49🎙️ Public Inquiry - Week 2 Day 3

Shakespeare meets the Public Inquiry
“All the world’s a stage”… and today, the barristers played their part
Timetable chaos as the inquiry struggles to keep pace
New information admitted—without time to review or respond
Economic model under scrutiny: based on unseen data
Gold… or gold concentrate? The numbers start to unravel
Growing concerns over fairness, transparency, and process
Third parties “limping along like a wounded animal”
Questions raised about oral submissions with no paper trail
A day that veered from serious to surreal
👉 Follow the podcast for daily updates from inside the inquiry👉 Share to keep the spotlight on what’s really happening
#Public Inquiry
#Sperrins
#Stop The Mine
#Environmental Justice
#Ireland News

#No.48🎙️ Public Inquiry -Week 2 Day 2

Focus on economic modelling behind the Dalradian application
Serious questions raised about overly optimistic projections
Concerns around lack of real-world grounding and evidence
Independent expert Mr Burgess (FODC) casts doubt on financial claims
Key issue: Who actually benefits from the profits?
Gold value driving projections — but wealth largely leaves the local area
Community impact questioned: jobs, local economy, real benefit?
Strong intervention from Sean Clarke (Mid Ulster Council)
Concerns about job displacement and pressure on existing businesses
Inquiry timeline may be extended significantly
👉 Follow the podcast for daily insights from inside the Public Inquiry👉 Share to keep awareness growing

#No.47🎙️ Public Inquiry - Week 2 Day 1

Key questions raised by Mary Brolly at the public inquiry
Is the Dalradian Gold application fully grounded in the documents before the Commission?
Can the process withstand robust scrutiny?
Concerns highlighted:
Gaps in transboundary consultation
Absence of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
What this means for transparency, accountability, and public trust
Call to Action:👉 Follow the podcast for daily insights from the inquiry👉 Share this episode to keep the conversation going