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21 Jan 2026

New Critical Minerals Act a threat to Leitrim says Eddie Mitchell

Independent candidate warns of potential impacts on Leitrim from new EU rules

New Critical Minerals Act a threat to Leitrim says Eddie Mitchell

Eddie Mitchell, Independent, Manorhamilton LEA

Reporter:

Stella Gordon

05 Jun 2024 2:46 PM

New EU rules came into effect on May 23 aimed at ensuring the union has access to a supply of critical raw materials. However one local election candidate and experienced environmental campaigner has said  “these laws could have a detrimental impact in Leitrim with fast tracked mining applications” according to Eddie Mitchell, member of Treasure Leitrim.

The EU Critical Raw Materials Act came into effect last Thursday, 23rd May but if you weren’t paying attention you would have been led to believe that this was a positive thing for Ireland according to Mitchell, with some media reports highlighting employment opportunities but none of the risks associated with the mining and extractive industries.
Mitchell is critical of the narrative of some media outlets whose articles reflected the mining company press releases with no right to reply for communities potentially impacted by the damage that mining can do.

Mitchell said: “Although gold is not included in the list of critical and strategic minerals the 47 Leitrim townlands in North Leitrim include deposits of minerals base metals that are.
“Eamon Ryan specifically argued that he allowed the prospecting to proceed because the company included base metals in their application.
“Leitrim and Sligo people could be at risk from water pollution from a heavy duty mining industry as well as the negative impacts on indigenous existing industries such as tourism and sustainable agriculture.
“Leitrim needs to guard against the introduction of another extractive industry that could dominate our local economy for a relatively short period while introducing long term environmental damage.
“A legislative ban on gold mining would go a long way towards protecting North Leitrim from companies hoping to use the Critical Raw Materials Act as a Trojan horse to get mining established here.
"I believe that there is political support for such a ban and that we should proceed with a campaign to bring it about.”

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