Fresh calls are being made to ban the use of certain chemicals used in extractive mining in Clare amid what are described as ‘significant’ environmental concerns.
Environmental activists are set to attend a Clare County Council workshop on the draft County Development Plan this afternoon.
Futureproof Clare made a submission on the proposed amendments to the draft County Development Plan, calling for a ban on the use of mercury, sulphuric acid, cyanide and cyanide compounds in the county.
These are minerals that are frequently used in gold and zinc mining.
Council CEO Pat Dowling responded at that time by stating that it’s ‘important to keep objectives broad enough to ensure best practice standards to protect the environment can be achieved’.
The group has written to local councillors outlining its fear that groundwater bodies in the County could be open to contamination without a ban on these substances.
Futureproof Clare member Emma Karran, who will be among those attending a workshop on the plan at Áras Contae an Chláir this afternoon, feels strong wording from the local authority is needed.
A council motion tabled back in December to enforce the ban in the county development plan received widespread support from elected members.
The local authority told Councillors at that meeting that while it recognises ‘that extractive industries contribute to the construction sector’, it also recognises ‘the serious potential environmental implications which can arise from extractive industries’.
The Council claims it ‘has included appropriate objectives’ in the County Development Plan to ensure ‘maximum protection’ to the environment.
Ennis-based Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn, who tabled that motion back in December, wants commitments to review certain aspects of the current draft plan.
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