CURRAGHINALT GOLD PROJECT
Dalradian Gold Limited (DGL) is looking to develop a 3.5 million-ounce, high-grade gold deposit located within the Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland. SRK UK led the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and compiled the environmental impact statement to support the planning application for the Curraghinalt Gold Project. SRK also undertook the hydrology, hydrogeology, and geochemistry specialist studies for the EIA and the project engineering. In addition, SRK prepared the closure plan, the mine waste management plan, and environmental construction management plan for submission as part of the planning application.
The EIA team worked closely with the feasibility study engineering team, the planning advisors, and legal review teams. This interaction facilitated the design of the project to avoid impacts where possible and to minimise unavoidable impacts. The project required the efficient coordination and sharing of information being collected by numerous EIA specialist consultants to maximise constructive input into the project design.
There were several key challenges to be addressed. A particular focus of this project was management of specific habitats and protection of water quality. This involved the compilation of comprehensive baseline data sets for habitat types and water quality. The management of sensitive habitats during the construction phase will be critical to the success of the project as well as protecting water quality in terms of sediment loads.
The specialist hydrology and hydrogeology studies involved complex modelling of water flows and water quality. These models drew on the outputs from the geochemistry models. The result was a detailed assessment of water quality issues for both surface and groundwater bodies during operation and post closure.
SRK was also responsible for completing the detailed project description required for the planning application. This involved compiling engineering information from several sources for the impact assessment and the non-technical summary.
SRK is continuing to work with DGL and various specialists to maintain the water and ecology databases during the planning evaluation process and to coordinate responses to requests by the planning authorities for additional environmental information.
