Richard Bruton, our Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, intends to renew prospecting licences for Base Metals. Gold(ores of) and Silver (ores of) held by Gold Note Minerals Limited, c/o BTU Metals Corp, 1240-789 W Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia,VBC 1H2, Canada over the following townlands in County Galway:

Prospecting Licence areas: PL 3145, PL 2295, PL 1431

Townlands in Ross Barony: Breenaun,Carrowgarriff,Claggan,Cornamona,Cur,Derreen, Dooghta, Dooros,Drumsnauv, Farnaght,Glenlusk,Griggins,Kilmilkin,Lee, Maum West, Moneenmore,Mounterowen East, Mounterowen Middles, Raigh, Tiernakill North, Tiernakill South.

The granting of a prospecting licence would allow BTU Metals Corp. to prospect for said minerals, and so be a step closer to applying for mining licence.

The use of poisonous chemicals such as cyanide and sulfuric acid in the extraction process are of huge concern as if these chemicals were to leach from the process would enter streams and waterways, destined for Lough Corrib. With the area proposed measuring one of the highest annual rates of rainfall this would be a huge risk to the health of both the environment and communities all around Lough Corrib.

Mining practice would irreparably damage the beauty of the scenery in the area, as well as damaging habitats within them. The townlands contained within the area are an annual passage for the native species of Deer in the Connemara area as well as supporting a variety of birds of prey, native songbird and a range of flora and fauna.

Beyond these issues the impact the landowners, farming land and general quality of life among the community would suffer. Road infrastructure would not support the weight of mining rigs, and heavy machinery used in the mining operation. Tourism would suffer through the threat to fisheries and hillwalking groups, outdoor adventurists and the huge amount of tourists that annually for the areas untouched beauty.

And ultimately a motion toward mining is a step in the wrong direction for a department that are pushing for the country to step back their emissions output, introducing emissions-heavy machinery and cutting through bog would only act to increase the emissions output for a country that are far behind their emissions target.

Please sign this petition and voice your objection for why we do not want to allow exploration or mining practices to take place in our beautiful region.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, August 23rd.