A public inquiry into a proposed gold mine and processing plant in Greencastle, County Tyrone, will resume on Monday, June 29, with sessions dedicated to mine waste issues. The hearings will run over three days, concluding on July 1, and then adjourn until early August.

Consultative bodies including the Health and Safety Executive, the Geological Survey for Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NI Water, and the Loughs Agency have been asked to attend the sessions.

The inquiry, which is examining the controversial planning application, is now expected to continue into the autumn. Final submissions are scheduled over four days in November.

Previous sessions last week considered the potential noise impact from the construction and operation of the mine. Residents expressing support for the project testified that mining activity in the area since the 1980s has not affected their quality of life.

Gerard Meenan, a resident of Camcosy Road, told the inquiry that traffic from mining-related operations had caused no inconvenience. Terence Brogan, who also lives near the site and backs the plans, said his family had lived with mining machinery in the vicinity without noise problems.

Mr Brogan added that he found it upsetting when others claimed their quality of life was negatively impacted. He stated he had not been affected by the mine.

Objectors countered that the mine's noise would significantly affect the local community, as well as wildlife and flora in the area.