The North's Economy Minister has acknowledged that there are controversies around applications for gold mining licences in the Sperrins.
Diane Dodds was responding to questions in the Assembly from Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan.
He said the concerns in the area are not just environmental:
However, Minister Dodds stressed that as well as potential pitfalls, there are also very clear potential benefits, and the issue must be examined from all angles before decisions are made:
