We have reported on the protests over mining licences granted to the company Variscan in France which include concessions to carry out exploratory drilling in Brittany.
Mining of this type can cause significant environmental damage as has been evidenced globally. With this is mind the Celtic League (Mannin Branch) Environmental Officer, Allen Moore, has been pressing Variscan about the processes they will use and the remedial work surrounding the disposal of mining spoil.
Here’s the text of a communication sent to the Company this week:
“The Celtic League is an accredited NGO with roster consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Celtic League campaigns on a wide range of issues concerning the six Celtic countries (Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Isle of Man and Scotland), including the environment.
“As the Environmental Officer of the Celtic League Mannin (Isle of Man) Branch I was interested to read about your exploration work for gold and other metals in Brittany. In the event of finding gold in quantities which can be extracted, how would your company protect the environment around the mining and processing sites? I know that a number of toxic materials have been used in the processing of gold, such as arsenic, cyanide and mercury. Does your company use these chemicals? Have you developed fail safe methods to use them without them escaping into the environment? I have read that gold only occurs in very small concentrations even when it is mined. How would your company deal with the waste rock brought to the surface during the mining?”
Mr Moore who travels extensively in both the Celtic countries and the Basque country says depending on the response (or lack of it) he may bring forward plans to revisit Brittany.
BERNARD MOFFATT
Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch
Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.
01/06/17
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