PSNI locked in legal standoff with gold mining company over unpaid security fees

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has called in lawyers to help settle a dispute with a multinational gold mining company over security costs.

The force has billed Canadian mining corporation Dalradian Resources almost £400,000 for escorting explosives, but the fee has so far not been paid.

Dalradian insists that it is not standard practice for companies to have to pay for police protection in Northern Ireland, and both sides are seeking legal aid to resolve the issue.

In a statement, the force said: “To date a total of £397,000 has been invoiced, however Dalradian are in disagreement with the chief constable’s position on cost recovery.

“Both parties are seeking further legal advice and this matter is with the PSNI’s legal counsel. No monies have been received to date.”

A spokesperson for Dalradian Gold said: “There is a legal requirement in Northern Ireland for the PSNI to assess the need to escort the transportation of explosives. The form and manner of the escort is determined solely by the PSNI.

“We understand no other mining or quarrying operation in Northern Ireland pays for this service.”

Dalraidian hopes to dig at a site in the Sperrin Mountains, where it believes there could be 3.5 million ounces of gold buried underground.

The company claims this is the seventh largest untapped gold deposit in the world, and hopes to submit an application before the end of the year.

It has already invested more than £56 million into the project, and total investment over the lifetime of the mine is expected to be in excess of hundreds of millions of pounds.

However, Dalradian has been criticised for plans to build a processing plant at the site that will involve the use of cyanide.

Local residents have raised fears that exposure to the toxic substance could damage their health, but Dalradian insists its use of the poison is well regulated and will have minimal impacts on the local environment.

The PSNI has refused to clarify how it has accumulated such a large bill, as revealing such details could potentially aid criminals and paramilitary groups.

Gordon Best, a spokesman for the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland, described the prospect of companies being charged for the transport and delivery of explosives as “very troubling”.

He said: “Sites operating close to the border and therefore in possibly higher risk areas could become unviable and uncompetitive in comparison to their southern counterparts who are not subject to the same escort charges.”