Communities in Cavan and Monaghan opposed to mining in their areas have formed a nationwide network.
This was in response to the future threat of mining and the consultation process being carried out by the Government on its 'Mineral Exploration and Mining Regime.
Communities across Cavan, Monaghan and other locations both north and south of the border have objected to the prospecting for minerals and mining activities generally with widespread community support for a number of years.
While they say they have succeeded in the Prospecting Areas west of Belturbet and in the Redhills Area, East of Belturbet in seeing the Prospecting Licences being surrendered the threat remains.
With Covid restrictions limiting the communities' abilities to meet, they formed Communities Against the Injustice of Mining or CAIM a network which has received support in the North and West of the country and is gaining momentum nationally.
The Network aims to unite communities and force the Government to fully engage on the issues of mining in a face to face transparent manner.
The government recently announced that it would be holding a townhall style event on its Minerals Exploration and Mining regime.
CAIM was invited to take part in this 'Town hall' consultation however, there were concerns that this was a closed forum meeting with only a few selected speakers, and attendees on the other side of a 'webinar wall'.
The network says it will not legitimise it with their presence as the virtual approach excludes a number of members of these vulnerable communities who find it difficult to access these virtual events.
The group will make a written submission to the consultation however, they are demanding that the Government have a democratic and inclusive consultation about the future of local communities and mining in those areas.
