To ask the Minister for the Economy to clarify why mineral prospecting licence applications (i) CA1/25; (ii) CA3/25; (iii) DGA3/25; (iv) DG4A/25; (v) KDRA1/25; (vi) KDRA4/25; and (vii) OMA4/25 were approved by her Department.

Under the Mineral Development Act (NI) 1969, my Department has a legal responsibility to consider any application for a mineral prospecting licence. Having met the necessary legislative requirements, the seven applications were deemed to be valid and where subsequently issued for public consultation. Having considered all the issues raised by the respondees to the consultation, it was concluded that there were no lawful barriers to prevent my Department granting all seven mineral prospecting licences.