Money should not be the main driver as the government issues licences to mining companies interested in carrying out initial prospecting in four areas of the Isle of Man.
That’s according to Cat Turner of Isle of Man Friends of the Earth.
‘Whether it’s acceptable for mining to proceed or not will depend hugely on the nature of the mineral deposits, the scale and method of the operation and the type and importance of the landscapes involved,’ she said.
‘For example, our hills are hugely important habitats for a variety of plants and creatures: our stunning upland heather moorland would be regarded as a “Priority Habitat” under the EU Habitats Directive - and whilst we’re not part of the EU, this tells us a lot about what’s worth protecting, both for plant life and for species such as hen harriers.
‘So we need to see government backing up its excellent Biodiversity Strategy and prioritising environmental issues.
‘Money matters, but it would be a shocking abuse if the economics were the only – or even the main – driver, since once lost, our diverse species and landscapes can in the main never be restored.’
She said the initial prospecting could provide ‘hugely useful’ new information about the make-up of the island’s mineral deposits.
And the environmental impact assessments, necessary as part of any planning application for mining, could help plug gaps in our understanding of our unique biodiversity through data about the landscape, habitats and species.