A new policy which prohibits the use of certain chemicals in gold mining is to be included in the Leitrim County Development plan.
It’s after Minister Eamon Ryan issued prospecting licences for more than 40 North Leitrim townlands in April which resulted in huge public outcry.
A public consultation on the Draft Leitrim County Development Plan resulted in a very large number of submissions relating to gold mining in the county.
As a result, the Council Executive has given the green light for a policy to be included in the plan which acknowledges that the use of Cyanide and Mercury poses an unreasonable risk to water quality.
James Gilmartin, Spokesperson for Treasure Leitrim says it’s a major step forward for the campaign:
