During Monday’s inquiry, people of the community expressed concern about the use of the deadly chemical cyanide and whether it would be reintroduced to plans.
In its initial application from 2017, Dalradian had proposed using cyanide in the mining process.
Dalradian amended its planning application in 2019 to remove its use for the extraction process.
One resident, opposed to the company’s plans, asked the inquiry for an explanation of how cyanide had been removed.
A representative for Dalradian said “there was absolutely no intention of using cyanide”.
Discussions also took place during the inquiry surrounding the parameters of the mine including; what materials would be extracted, how much gold would be extracted and how long the project would take.
A representative from Dalradian said their worst case scenario was to mine up to 1,500 tonnes per day.
The inquiry also heard that there had been “unauthorised development” on the existing Dalradian site, with “infilling, fencing and cameras”.
Some of the objectors described “illegal development”, and a legal representative for the department for infrastructure said while it “was certainly a breach of planning control”, that “does not make it illegal”.
The inquiry heard that the mine would run 365 days a year with some maintenance days factored in.
Dalradian has said the mine would operate for 20 to 25 years but the inquiry heard that the project could actually run for up to 28 years including two years for construction, as well as time post-mining.
