U.S. Lawmakers Warn Over Delays to Northern Ireland Gold Mine

In May 2025, a group of U.S. lawmakers voiced concerns over the prolonged delays in approving the Curraghinalt gold mine project in Northern Ireland. The project, led by Dalradian Gold and backed by U.S. investment firm Orion Resource Partners, is estimated to contain approximately £20 billion worth of gold. Despite its significant economic potential and promises of local job creation, the project has been entangled in Northern Ireland’s planning system for over eight years—far exceeding the original 30-week timeline. Lawmakers from the U.S. Congress have issued formal warnings to local authorities, emphasizing that continued bureaucratic inertia could deter future American investments in the region.