Galantas Gold Share Discussion Threads

[rathlindri] 30/12/2012 11:46

News soon??

[selwynslacker] 07/12/2012 16:30

Just added some, FWIW - not quite bullish, but more optimistic than I have been for a good 12 months - momentarily roused from apathy at least ;-)

[bamboo2] 07/12/2012 15:02

7(th) December 2012 : Galantas Gold Corporation announces the departure of Richard Crew, Chief Operating Officer, from the Corporation. Richard is leaving to pursue other business interests and the Corporation thanks him for his contribution to the team.



Galantas is the 100% owner, via its subsidiary Omagh Minerals Ltd, of Ireland's only operating gold mine. The current open pit operation is drawing to a close and permitting is being sought to continue mining underground. The permitting process is proceeding and the Corporation is pleased to note a recent letter of support from Omagh District Council to the Minister of Environment, in whose remit determination of the application resides

[bageo] 05/12/2012 21:21

That letter referred to from the Omagh Council is now on the planning website under 'Representation Letter' it is well worth a read.

Thanks for the minutes extract, R&J, the letter says very much the same - the council realise the long term jobs on offer and that the company can do this whilst looking after the environment.

A good step forward.

[bahamasoil] 05/12/2012 19:44

r&j >> Positive result. Thanks for the update.

Now Mr Attwood, make my day!

[richandjanet] 05/12/2012 16:51

Extract from November Planning minutes


2.0 PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE


2.1 Strategic Planning Division - Planning Application K/2012/0373/F – 56 Upper Botera Road, Cavanacaw, Omagh (MS/6/3)


PREVIOUSLY CIRCULATED: letter dated 10 October 2012 from the Department of the Environment's Strategic Planning Division with regard to application K/2012/0373/F for underground mine and associated surface works to include ancillary buildings and equipment.


SUBMITTED: letter dated 19 October 2012 from Strategic Planning on behalf of Omagh Minerals Ltd requesting that the Council issue a letter of support to the Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood MLA with regard to application K/2012/0373/F.


DISCUSSION: ensued, during which the Committee Chairman, Councillor F Donnelly expressed the view that the development of the underground mine and associated surface level works was preferable and made reference to the substantial excavation in terms of open cast mining. Councillor Rainey spoke of the economic advantages of the proposal including the additional employment for the local economy which was to be welcomed in the current climate of recession when job creation was essential but made reference to the environmental impact of the proposed development adding that it was imperative assurances were sought from Omagh Minerals Ltd in terms of minimising this. In comcurring with these sentiments Councillor Deehan referred to the impressive presentation given by Omagh Minerals Ltd and to representations received from local residents in terms of the employment generated by Cavanacaw Gold Mine.


IN RESPONSE: to Members queries, Mr Diamond advised that the original planning application had included a restoration plan and another restoration plan had been included in the current planning application. He further clarified that the current application K/2012/0373/F was being processed under Article 31 procedures whereby the application could be decided by either a public inquiry or by a notice of opinion by the Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood MLA. He added that the outline approval for the 'Opportunity Omagh' scheme had been dealt with under the same mechanism.


FURTHER DISCUSSION: ensued, during which Members, noted the possible environmental impacts of the proposed development and felt that the planning process should provide assurances that the development would only proceed on the condition that Omagh Minerals Ltd would do everything possible to protect the environment during any works and ensure full restoration in accordance with a prescribed restoration plan. Councillor Rainey then proposed that subject to the undertaking as outlined above the Council express support for planning application K/2012/0373/F submitted by Omagh Minerals Ltd. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Deehan.


RESOLVED: that letters of support be issued to Strategic Planning Division and the Minister for the Environment, Alex Attwood MLA as outlined above in respect of planning application K/2012/0373/F

[ttnyrp] 01/12/2012 19:31

Bamboo - thanks for that. I think that must say a lot for the council's leaning on all our applications in front of them. After all as gt4 says we need to get rock offsite, there would be no point in taking this stance without a view to allow that and any other relevant operations too?

There is of course the issue of funding but an asset with the relevant permissions must be valued more highly by the market. Regardless I can't see a case for downside from here.

[writz] 01/12/2012 10:57

Conditions like "don't make any holes in the ground" maybe?

[bamboo2] 01/12/2012 10:53

WRITZ, I see what you mean and it could be the reason for the twitch in share price on 6th Nov. Gal is not known for being leaky, newswise, but I guess this is different, as not eminating from the co.
Who's to say approval will lead to a rise in the share price anyway? nervous lol.

The proposal has been re-advertised recently and the expiry date for consultation replies draws ever closer. I'm betting that approval with conditions will be forth comming early next year.

[writz] 01/12/2012 10:38

bamboo, is that new news...? Or was that the reason for the slight twitch in the share price on Nov 6?!

[bamboo2] 01/12/2012 10:05

At the 5th Nov planning meeting Omagh DC have agreed, subject to minimal environmental impact, to support the underground proposal.
Source, letter from D Mc Sorely [Cheif Exec.] dated 21 November 2012

[ttnyrp] 25/11/2012 17:00

I don't think anyone should be or is surprised by the content of the last results topbidd given the constraints the company is having to deal with. Hence for me at least, not a lot to say. I'm still here as I'm operating under the assumption that given the current desperate economic conditions those elected to serve those being thrown out of jobs pretty much daily do (or will soon) 'get it'.

The most absurd part of this situation to me is that the main antagonist is always described as a "retired photographer". Hopefully the irony of a livelihood which has been for decades dependent in huge part upon silver mining is not lost on anyone.

I'm not saying of course that people should be denied an opinion or that proper process shouldn't be followed but there are hundreds or thousands MORE that could also be basing their futures on mineral resources, those in Northern Ireland.

[bamboo2] 25/11/2012 11:19

topbidd, the final quarter should start to show a modicum of improvement in the financial performance. Much of the spending on the plans, redundancy, road improvements etc etc, has occured earlier this year.
It does look like this could become a long haul back.

[topbidd] 25/11/2012 03:27

It used to be that when GAL released any info there would be a modicum of opinion on this thread, but, such is the apathy in this co now that even (expected) poor results cannot even stir an emotive response from its disillusioned shareholders.

[bamboo2] 19/11/2012 19:07

Westminster [and Stormont] looking to increase controls on JR's

===============================================================
David Cameron has promised to crack down on "time-wasting" caused by the "massive growth industry" in legal challenges to government policy.

The prime minister told business leaders he would "get a grip" on people forcing unnecessary delays.

Judicial review applications would cost more, with less time put aside to apply and fewer chances to appeal.

[johnnieis] 16/11/2012 16:59

nice little buy near end of play - probably by an objector, wanting to cash in on his/her banditry!

i haven't read the planning app, but i know any development today must have a professional flood risk assessment - so for mining......

[smurfyx] 15/11/2012 21:17

rrr, nature of the beast

[bamboo2] 15/11/2012 20:58

bageo, the EIA is back on the site. Having re-read, I don't think that groundwater is a big issue for us.

Of course the facts around flood risk and hydrology need to be ascertained for the benefit of the various agencies and as you say, on-going monitoring, as happens presently with the open pit, will be required.

I would say though, that it reads to me that the agencies are going overboard to cover their backs [perhaps this is their remit, in this litigious day and age]. One of the consultee replies [can't remember which one] denied a history of mining in Ireland [and hence, an inability to make comment], whereas I have read elsewhere that historically there are over 2000 seperate workings on the island.

[bamboo2] 12/11/2012 21:38

Hi bageo, thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately I have been unable to check my notes against the original EIA as it isn't on the DOE site at present. I cannot check the depths of the recent boreholes or if they were included in this application. I guess this means that if we do get approval there will be a large number of conditions relating to water. I agree this is probably a good thing.
Re, upland bog, yes it is possible for water to migrate sideways through rock strata and therefore exist below it. I am of the opinion that in our case, a stream drained upland bog indicates at least an impervious layer or an altogether impermeable bedrock. [from the original mine application I think this was the case].
Very pleased to see the DOE getting on with things.

[bageo] 12/11/2012 20:57

bamboo2 - I've not read through all the new filings or responses so feel free to point me in the right direction if I've missed something.

The NI Environment Agency response on groundwater is not unreasonable, groundwater monitoring is a normal requirement. Equally taking specialist advise is sensible.

You are correct in that a borehole should allow water in if the surrounding rock contains groundwater, I need to look at the EIA to see if there are now deeper monitoring borehole results. You can have a bog sitting on the surface due to poor drainage but this doesn't mean there isn't groundwater at greater depth.

Groundwater needs to be taken account of in any underground mine - this maybe just sealing the shaft when it passes through permeable strata but you would always want some pumping capacity as water will enter a mine.

[bamboo2] 12/11/2012 17:08

The u/ground application has been re-titled and some elements of the EIA have been rewritten to appease and clarify some minor points made by an objector. This looks better to me.

There seems some confusion with the consultees regarding ground water. They don't seem to understand that groundwater is not an issue. This is made clear in the application. As far as I know the test for this is very simple, dig or drill a hole, return sometime later, if water is present in the hole, you have ground water, if the hole remains dry, you haven't. Upland bog is also indicative of impermeability below. [edit-I thought to check my facts in the original EIA, but cannot access it at present.]

[bahamasoil] 06/11/2012 19:38

Thanks bamboo2, fingers crossed.

[bamboo2] 06/11/2012 19:33

BahamasOil, there was a planning meeting last night, the 5th November, but there was no mention of Omagh Minerals' applications in the schedule. As you probably know, discussion at these meetings is not limited to the schedule and when the minutes are released in a few weeks, we will be wiser.

The U/G decision will likely be announced by DOE centrally, rather than at local level. I would imagine a favourable decision will contain a veritable smorgasbord of conditions.

[bamboo2] 06/11/2012 18:00

hi liarspoker, Free? you should have mentioned that it requires a subscription.