asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how much money has been paid by way of royalties to the Government by Irish Base Metals since that company started mining operations at Tynagh, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tynagh (Galway) Mines.
55.
The Tynagh mine commenced production at the end of 1965 and has been trading since the beginning of 1966. It would be contrary to normal practice to furnish particulars of royalties paid by a private company. I might add, for the Deputy's information, that total receipts from all sources under the Mineral Development Acts, including royalties for the year ended 31st December, 1968, amounted to £200,867. There may be some adjustment of this figure when profits are finally assessed by the Revenue Commissioners.
56.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how long mining operations are expected to continue at Tynagh, County Galway.
As the company operating at Tynagh is a private concern it would be contrary to normal practice for me to make forecasts on the lines requested by the Deputy. However, I might refer the Deputy to a report for the year 1967 issued by Northgate Exploration Ltd., which indicated that reserves, as calculated at the end of 1967, were estimated to be adequate for approximately 17 years of operation at the rate of mining then obtaining.