Letter: Mine planning

John Burton (Letters, 6 September) is right to condemn the short-sighted decision to reject the Cononish gold mine project. However, he is incorrect saying it would be the only gold mine in western Europe.

There is one currently active at Cavanacaw in the Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone, the produce from which fetches a considerable premium just because it is Irish.

Until recently gold mines were also active at Dolgellau where, again, the metal sold for far more than its bullion value, just on account of its being Welsh. Scottish gold, too, would attract such a premium, thereby insulating it from random fluctuations in the bullion market.

Despite being in scenic areas, these Irish and Welsh mines have not affected the tourist trade, nor had any of the other problems imagined by those opposed to the Cononish project.

The planning board's rejection is a knee-jerk reaction to something it does not understand.

(Dr) Stephen Moreton

Marina Avenue

Warrington, Cheshire