US firm Dalradian Resources (www.dalradian.com) says it will create around 650 jobs when it opens a new gold mine in County Tyrone next year.

The firm is currently doing exploratory mining at Curraghinalt near Gortin and says that it could be producing more than £120 million of the precious metal annually within three years.

Chief executive Patrick Anderson said: “A feasibility study confirms that this development will provide substantial economic benefits to Northern Ireland at the local, county and national levels, while also providing a strong return on investment.

“We aim to build Europe’s leading gold mine using best-in-class mining, processing and environmental standards, while facilitating economic development in Northern Ireland.”