The fact that TR70/3156H was designated for mining prior to the...

The fact that TR70/3156H was designated for mining prior to the area becoming National Park does not follow the general rule of "we were here first".

I always thought that National Parks takes presidence over mining, once the area has been designated a National Park.

If this is the case then why did UKD apply for the lease?

This piece of the puzzle raises more questions then answers:

* Did National Parks claim the area for the purpose of restricting the area to future mining?

If so, then:

* Why can someone apply for a mining lease within this National Park?

* Under what conditions was the area designated as a National Park?

Personally, I think that the only way to resolve this issue is to simply ask the directors.