Mining company help NI schools plant hundreds of broadleaf native trees

As part of its commitment to the environment, Dalradian has helped schools across Northern Ireland plant hundreds of broadleaf native trees.
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Working with Carbon Footprint Ltd, a leading sustainability and climate change solutions provider, Dalradian donated 700 broad leafed native species to six primary and one secondary school.

As a result of this, and certified carbon offsetting projects, Dalradian, which is developing an

underground gold, silver and copper mine in County Tyrone, has achieved Carbon Neutral Plus status, further underlining its commitment to tackling climate change.

Oonagh McKenna, Dalradian’s Sustainability & Community Relations Officer.Oonagh McKenna, Dalradian’s Sustainability & Community Relations Officer.
Oonagh McKenna, Dalradian’s Sustainability & Community Relations Officer.

This is in addition to the company’s existing Carbon Management Plan to actively reduce carbon emissions.

In support of this Dalradian has taken delivery of its first electric vehicle, upgraded its office heating and lighting system to reduce electricity use and switched to 100% renewable

electricity supply. The firm is also committed to building and operating Europe’s first carbon neutral (net zero carbon) mine.

By minimising its emissions on an ongoing basis and offsetting the remainder via certified projects Dalradian can render all its operations as net zero carbon (ie, carbon neutral).

Dr. Wendy Buckley, Client Director at Carbon Footprint, said: “Planting trees is a simple but very effective and sustainable way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Dalradian has partnered with Carbon Footprint and donated 700 trees to schools across Northern Ireland where the trees have been planted by pupils.

“Combined with the support of the company for the Cambodia Water Project, an internationally recognised offset project, Dalradian is now recognised as a Carbon Neutral plus organisation.”

Oonagh McKenna, Dalradian’s Sustainability & Community Relations Officer, said: “As a company we are committed to being environmentally responsible. Planting more trees will capture carbon and enhance the natural environment, increase biodiversity, and provide a boost to physical and mental wellbeing.

“It is fantastic that we have been able to deliver green spaces for pupils. As the trees develop, they will provide a whole range of outdoor cross curricular learning opportunities from science through to art.

“We hope to continue this work with schools more local to the mine to develop similar environmental projects.”

In Northern Ireland forest cover currently sits at just 9 percent, behind the UK average of 13 percent and only 200ha of woodland is planted per year instead of the 900ha recommended recently by the Committee on Climate Change.

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