asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he intends to arrange for new anthracite and coal development in the Leinster coalfield.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Leinster Coalfield.
12.
The State's policy is to promote the development of coal resources by private commercial interests. My function is to provide a general framework within which such developments can take place by the issue of State mining leases and permissions to interested parties and to provide such encouragement as I can to such parties to undertake developments. At present, three coal mining operations involving State-owned coal are in progress in the Leinster coalfield and one proposal for a new development is under consideration.
In an effort to encourage further development, my Department commissioned a leading firm of UK consultants in recent years to produce an updated assessment of the nature and extent of Irish coal resources (including those in the Leinster coalfield) and the potential for the establishment of further mining operations. The study was completed in 1982 and the consultants' report has been made available to potential developers and other interested parties.
As a follow-up to the consultants' report I have arranged for further studies to be undertaken, relating to the quality of the coal in the Leinster coalfield, which involve tests to ascertain the sulphur content of the coal, and advice as to the best means of processing it to higher quality grades by reducing the sulphur levels. The purpose of the further studies is to provide coal operators with a base which would enable them to form judgments on their future coal cleaning strategy and potential markets. The result of these studies will be made available to interested parties in due course.
I wish to express my appreciation of the volume of work undertaken by the Minister's Department in this regard recently. Is he aware that, due to the advances in the technology of mining, it is now much easier to mine anthracite and coal, particularly from locations like the Leinster coalfield, Arigna or the mines in Tipperary? Is he aware that because of the advancement in the technology of mining we no longer have to depend on the old-fashioned mining system? I am sure the Minister's Department are aware — that it is quite possible to have the new methods of mining put into operation in part of the Leinster coalfields. Will he therefore consider this aspect of anthracite and coal production?
As I stated in my reply, my Department are anxious to give every help and assistance to potential operators. With regard to the Leinster coalfield, one of the principal conclusions of the report produced by BMC was that 8.9 million tonnes recoverable reserve of anthracite was in the Leinster coalfield, moderate in ash but high in sulphur content. Primarily because of the sulphur content I have arranged for further studies to be taken to ascertain the best means of processing it to a higher quality.