In a written Ministerial Statement the Economy Minister Dr today updated Assembly
colleagues on the ongoing and wide-ranging review of mineral
licensing.
The Minister announced that Tetra Tech RPS is to carry out both a
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulation
Assessment (HRA), both legal requirements of the ongoing review.
The Minister said: “It is important the mineral licensing
framework provides the highest level of environmental protection,
ensures that local communities benefit appropriately, and
commands public confidence.
“With these objectives in mind, a comprehensive review of the
existing mineral regime is underway and today I can announce the
next major milestone in that review. Tetra Tech RPS, a local
company with extensive sector experience, has been awarded the
contract to carry out both a Strategic Environmental Assessment
and a Habitats Regulation Assessment.”
Setting the direction for future mineral licensing policy, the
Minster continued: “Upon taking office it was the intention
of my predecessor, Minister Murphy, to introduce a moratorium on
the granting of new licences while the review was carried out.
However, it was not legally feasible to do so given that the
review was at an early stage. These environmental assessments
will allow my Department to publish its new policy by April 2027.
At this point it will be legally possible for me to introduce a
moratorium.”
In conclusion the Minister said: “I can therefore confirm
that once these two environmental assessments are complete, I
will introduce a moratorium for new mineral licences. A new
policy framework will then be legislated for in the next Assembly
mandate.”
The next major milestone in the review of mineral licensing will
be a Call for Evidence which will provide the public and
interested parties an opportunity to inform and co-design the
future of minerals policy.
Notes to Editors:
1. The legal framework for current mineral prospecting licensing
is contained in the Mineral Development Act (Northern Ireland)
1969 and associated legislation.
2. The Department for the Economy is responsible for mineral
licensing, with the exception of gold and silver which are under
the remit of the Crown Estate.
3. In line with the Environmental Assessment of Plans and
Programmes Regulations (NI) 2004, the implementation of a new
legislative framework for mineral licensing requires both a
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation
Assessment.
