Aug 20 2014
Northern Ireland's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Invest Northern Ireland has offered over £326,000 (approx. CDN$590,000) of support for jobs and associated training to support pre-commercialisation work at Dalradian Resources Inc's Curraghinalt gold deposit. Invest NI's support is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland"s Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister and Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian's CEO, viewing core from the Curraghinalt gold project (Marketwired Photo - Dalradian Resources Inc.)
Arlene Foster said: "The decision by Dalradian Resources to expand its Tyrone operations is good news for the local economy. The company had the option of locating these jobs in Toronto but was swayed by Northern Ireland's cost-effective business environment and the support offered by Invest NI.
"I first met with Dalradian Resources last year on a visit to Canada and I very much welcome that those initial talks, combined with the company's attendance at the Northern Ireland Investment Conference last October, have led to this investment. The company is looking to develop the first underground gold mine in Northern Ireland and this offers a unique opportunity to introduce specialist skills and sophisticated international resource investment into our important professional services sector."
Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian's CEO, commented: "Our Board, which has developed mining projects all over the globe, is focused on the Curraghinalt deposit in Northern Ireland because it has the right combination of geology, infrastructure, workforce and a business-friendly government. To date, the gold deposit has responded exactly as we'd hoped; as we've invested, it has grown and the preliminary economic assessment is very positive. This next phase of underground exploration, which will be managed and operated out of our Tyrone facilities, will take us through the more advanced economic assessment required to reach a mine construction decision.
"We appreciate the support we've received from all levels of government as well as the local community. In return, we're committed to helping to create a new industry in Northern Ireland, to hire locally and build up specialized mining skills through training over the next several years. Ultimately, we believe Northern Ireland can support a vibrant mining sector with well-remunerated jobs."