loch lomond national park approves gold mine

Loch Lomond national park approves gold mine plan:

Plans to develop Scotland's first commercial gold mine in Loch Lomond National Park have been approved.

Members of the park authority's board said the opportunities for new jobs and economic growth outweighed concerns about the environment.

But the board inisisted Scotgold Resources, who will develop the mine at Cononish, should make sure the long term environmental impact is minimised.

It is the firm's second attempt at securing planning permission.

The first application was rejected by the Loch Lomond National Park Authority over conservation concerns.

Scotgold Resources plans to extract more then £50m worth of gold and silver from a hillside near Tyndrum.

It has been 500 years since gold was successfully mined in Scotland, but the high price of precious metals now makes the work cost-effective.

Views heard

The company said about 50 jobs would be created, and it has promised to restore the landscape at the end of its 10-year licence.

After failing to secure planning permission with its first bid, the company then submitted revised plans in July this year, after dropping an appeal.

The park authority board will hold a special meeting at Crianlarich Village Hall, where a recommendation to approve the second application will be considered.

Scotgold, supporters and objectors will have their views heard before the board makes a decision.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-15436309