A contentious bid to open a “globally important” barite mine at a Highland Perthshire beauty spot has been approved by councillors.
The project at Duntanlich, north of Aberfeldy, won backing despite concerns about its potential impact on the peace and tranquility of the Loch Tummel area, including the world famous Queen’s View.
Objectors said that, although they did not oppose the mine itself, they were worried that a new haulage road would be detrimental to people living in and around Logierait area and could scare off tourists.
Project leaders M-I Swaco, a subsidiary of oil giant Schlumberger, were urged to consider an alternative route, linking the site with the A9, instead of the proposed connection to the A827 near Ballinluig.
But developers said that the planned road was Transport Scotland’s preferred option.
The new development will replace an existing barite mine at nearby Foss, which is becoming too difficult and expensive to extract from.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee voted eight-three in favour of the plan.
Convener Tom Gray said: “I feel that it would be very difficult for us do anything but approve this project.
“I’m quite convinced that any alternative route would inevitably have an impact on another community.”
Councillor Alan Livingstone called for the committee to defer making a decision, to allow for more time to assess other possible road layouts.
“We need to look at whether there is a better route to serve this mine, which would be more satisfactory to the local community,” he said.
Highland councillor Ian Campbell was asked to speak on behalf of Logierait objectors. He also called for SWACO to consider a direct route to the A9, near Pitlochry.
“This will reduce the impact on the community and will mean we won’t this road scarring our landscape,” he said.
Objector Celine Boisson said there was widespread opposition in Logierait.
“Many are concerned that this access road will make the area less attractive to tourists,” she said.
She told the committee that, in less than a week, more than 130 people had signed a petition against the scheme.
Project manager Ian Hughes said he was pleased the committee had approved the plan.
“The new mine will ensure the UK is self-sufficient in barite and will not only have a significant local economic impact, diversifying the economy of this rural area where employment is largely reliant on tourism and forestry, but will also have national significance in terms of providing vital continuity of supply for the North Sea oil and gas industry.”
Barite is used as a weighting agent for drilling fluids. At the moment, a third of UK demand comes from the ageing Foss mine, the rest comes from Monocco.
