Transposing the "Mining Waste Directive" (2006/21/EC) in Northern Ireland

It is proposed to transpose into Northern Ireland planning legislation the requirements of European Union Directive 2006/21/EC (the Mining Waste Directive”), whereby requirements will be placed upon operators in the onshore extractive industry to manage extractive waste so as to prevent or reduce as far as possible any adverse effects on the environment and human health. Work on the Directive was prompted by accidents in Spain and Romania where cyanide rich liquid suspensions were released from mines after breaches to retaining dams. These accidents caused significant environmental damage to the river ecosystem and its animal life and also threatened human health.

Work on developing practical proposals for consultation has involved initial discussions with a number of key stakeholders.  It is the aim of the proposals to take advantage of all derogations available under the Directive and to minimise the impacts of subsequent Regulations on both the extractive industry and the planning regulatory regime.

Consultation responses should be with the Department on or before 11th May 2009