Expansion of mining planned in Magheracloone
Mining company Gyproc has lodged plans to expand its operations in Magheracloone.
Two separate applications have been submitted to Monaghan County Council. One seeks a major expansion of its open cast mining operations at the site. The second plans for the replacement of the village’s community centre, which was destroyed in a subsidence incident in 2018.
Parent company Saint-Gobain Mining (Ireland) Ltd hopes to get permission to excavate the former underground mine in the Drumgoosat area through open cast mining methods.
Mining has been taking place in the area since 1958, with the open cast mine operating since 1989. Gypsum extracted is used in the production of plaster board.
As part of the expansion, the existing Kingscourt to Carrickmacross R179 road would have to be realigned temporarily to allow for the construction of a tunnel underneath it.
“The construction of the proposed tunnel will necessitate a temporary realignment of the R179 during the tunnel construction period to allow the R179 to remain in constant use,” the application states.
The tunnel would be used to transport gypsum extracted from the mine by both haulage truck and a covered conveyor to the company’s existing processing plant located nearby.
The lengthy application also states the tunnel would be used to transport spoil from the site to the existing open cast mine in the Knocknacran area to be used as part of the restoration of the area. It’s planned the mine will be restored “to near ground levels”, with soil and rock extracted from the new mining area to be used.
The plan for restoration sees the mine restored to a mix of grassland and forested areas, using native trees and hedgerows. A small lake along the Carrickmacross-Kingscourt road is also included.
Three unoccupied houses on the proposed site are to be demolished. A fourth is currently occupied and the family residing there are to be relocated.
A lengthy Environmental Impact Assessment, totalling over 2,500 pages, was submitted with the plans.
The company also hopes to gain permission for the refurbishment and continued use of its processing plant. Overall the development comprises an area of 140 hectares, encompassing lands owned by Saint Gobain, Monaghan County Council, Magheracloone Mitchells GAA Club and the estate of the late James Mohan. Letters of consent from each are included in the application.
Further works to the local GAA Club will also take place if the development is approved by Monaghan County Council. The company had committed to replacing the facilities lost during the collapse of the underground mine in September 2018. The Magheracloone Mitchells GAA Club and local community centre were condemned and subsequently demolished.
It was given approval just over a year ago for a new playing pitch and associated works, including a single storey dressing rooms, toilets and parking area but it now wants to further expand that development. The expansion of the GAA facilities is included in the planning application for the new open cast mine.
The company says it plans two more pitches, one an all-weather pitch and one with a running track along its perimeter, as well as flood lighting. Also included is a new building to house a meeting room, handball alley, changing rooms, toilets, sports hall, a viewing area and a part-covered grandstand.
They will be located to the north-west of the existing open cast mine, on lands owned by Saint Gobain.
Community Centre
A separate application to replace the lost community centre has also been submitted to Monaghan County Council.
This development includes a new community centre, site road and parking, wastewater treatment system, percolation and attenuation areas, boundary treatments, new entrance onto public road and all associated site works.
It’s planned for lands owned by Michael McGrane in the Knocknacran East townland. A letter stating his consent was also included in the application. The site is located across from the local national school and Ss Peter’s and Paul’s Church.
A decision on the community centre is expected to be made by Monaghan County Council by March 17 and on the open cast mining proposals by March 23.
Gyproc encourages community engagement
Gyproc says it respects and welcomes the views of its neighbours and “welcomes any opportunity to engage with the community regarding proposed plans for the area”.
The company says it is “committed to engaging in open dialogue with the community” in relation to the plans.
In a statement to the Celt, Gyproc says it already hosted a community information event last September, “which gave residents the opportunity to view the proposed plans and raise any additional questions or concerns they may have”.
It says the Environmental Impact Assessment submitted to Monaghan County Council as part of its application outlines the water management, dust avoidance, noise minimisation and traffic monitoring assessments carried out.
The statement concludes by outlining plans for an information booklet that will be issued to local residents in the coming weeks.
Opposition
The plans have not gone without opposition from some in the local community. The Drumgossett/Knocknacran Residents’ Association has organised a protest at the site this weekend. The group, which has been vocal in its opposition to the mine since the 2018 subsidence event, says it wants “to raise awareness about the environmental impact” the proposed new open cast mine could have.
It claims the work at the mine, if approved, would have a detrimental impact on the lives of people in the area.
“The high levels of dust, noise, heavy construction vehicles, and regular explosions will impact on people living and working in this area including a school with over 90 pupils and staff. This mine will be operating for 35 years. We are concerned about the impact this will have on the environment, people’s health, agriculture and the wildlife in the area. We are asking for people to come and show that this is an important issue.”
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