asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if it is intended to undertake boring operations in places, other than Roundstone, in the search for molybdenite, and, if so, in what places.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Molybdenite Deposits.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) how much money has been provided out of public funds for the purpose of boring for deposits of molybdenite at Roundstone; (b) how much money has been provided from other sources; (c) what agency is carrying out the work; (d) when operations began and what progress has been made; and (e) when it is expected that the exploratory work will be completed.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
Under a technical assistance project for the geological survey a drilling programme on State-owned deposits of molybdenite at Murvey, near Roundstone, County Galway, was commenced in January, 1954, and completed in December, 1954. The drilling was carried out by the State-sponsored company, Mianraí Teoranta, as agents for the geological survey. Expenditure from public funds on the work amounted to £12,000. There was no money provided from other sources towards the cost of the work.
The drilling programme carried out at Murvey failed to establish the existence of the minimum quantity of ore of a grade which would be suitable for commercial development. However, braces of molybdenite have also been found in the vicinity of Mace, County Galway, which is near Murvey, and a preliminary examination is being undertaken in this area to determine whether a drilling programme there would be justified.