A public inquiry is due to start today into proposals for a controversial gold mine in Tyrone.
Canadian company Dalradian is behind the application for the Sperrin Mountains.
It says it'll boost the economy - but local campaigners are worried about the impact on the area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The results of the inquiry will be watched with great interest in the North West region that after Prospecting Licences which are the first step in obtaining permission to carry out full scale mining were granted by the Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan back in April 2022 for a number of townlands in North Leitrim.
At the time Minister Ryan published notice of his intention to grant a prospecting licence to the Omagh based company Flintridge Resources for 47 named townlands in two separate areas, close to Manorhamilton.
Manorhamilton MD Councillor, James Gilmartin says there are genuine concerns over the granting of such licences.
The Independent Councillor says members of treasurer Leitrim will be supporting the community being impacted in Omagh.
