SDLP candidate for East Derry, Gerry Mullan, has pledged to make the granting of prospecting licences an issue in the forthcoming Assembly election.
He has also urged everyone to make representations to the Minerals and Petroleum Branch of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment immediately.
The application for a prospecting licence covers parts of Counties Derry and Tyrone and, according to Mr Mullan, includes some of the most scenic countryside anywhere in Ireland.
Areas in County Derry include Feeny, Artigarvan, Claudy, Dunnamanagh, Park and Slievekirk.
Mr Mullan said it was “unthinkable” that these areas would become subject to the “ravage” of prospecting for gold.
He added: “Gold mining is one of the most environmentally destructive forms of mining.
“It creates massive amounts of toxic waste.
“Gold mining also ravages landscapes and pollutes rivers.
“The environmental damage left by gold mining can last generations.
“Over 85% of gold mining today will end up as jewellery tomorrow.
“Gold mining is not an essential industry like the harvesting of food or even paper production. It is certainly not sustainable, nor is it just.”
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