Our group represents residents living beside Randalstown/Simonstown Tailings Dam. Our overall aim is to work for the protection of our environment especially with concerns for the children of future generations. Our membership is open to anyone living in any of the many townlands surrounding Navan town – all of which are affected by the existence of Boliden Tara Mines and the waste facility at Randalstown/Simonstown which stores over 50 tonnes of toxic waste from the “largest mine in Europe” for zinc and lead. SENT aims to raise awareness about the ever-present dangers for communities and the environment and they oppose the further expansion of the mine Tara Deep along with the proposed second Tailings Dam at Sillogue/Simonstown

SENT was formed in June 2023, following on from Rate (Residents Against Tailings) 6 years previously. RATE had campaigned against the 6 th extension of Randalstown/Simonstown Tailings Dam. Their campaign reached as far an Oral hearing by An Coimisiún Pleanála but they were unsuccessful and Planning permission was granted. SENT hosted 4 public consultation meetings during September and October 2023 to identify the main concerns of communities in the wider area around Randalstown Dam. The findings of these consultations highlighted the following major concerns:

1. Water quality and the need for independent testing and regulation
2. Health and Wellbeing
3. Dam Integrity
4. Environmental Impact (Loss of hedgerows / Loss of biodiversity)
5. Legacy of toxic waste from the pond

Other concerns included
1. Community Impact /Lack of community awareness
2. Lack of information
3. Lack of Trust in Boliden Tara Mines
4. Lack of independent oversight and monitoring

2024 was a busy year. We set up a more formal committee with officers and established a bank account. We engaged with two students from DKIT, Dundalk, who produced a video (link here) and designed our brochure. In June 2024 we invited all candidates for local Council elections to meet with us on Zoom where we asked for their positions on aspects of our concerns. At a further public meeting in June 2024 we outlined the progress made over the year and set outpriorities under 4 headings with ideas for action towards next steps. Headings were: 1. Communication; 2. Awareness Raising; 3. Fundraising; 4. Making Formal links