Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 6

Written Answers. - Mining Licences.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

225 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will provide a list of the companies currently holding mining licences in the State; the geographical areas to which the licences refer; the extent to which these licences are currently being operated; the lifetime of the licences; the total income accruing to the State from the issue of such licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8593/96]

The sum of £229,265 was received by way of fees, royalties and rents in the year ended 31 December 1995 in respect of one State mining licence and 17 State mining leases. The answers to the Deputy's other questions are set out in the following table.

I would refer the Deputy to the statutory six-monthly reports which I am obliged to present to both Houses of the Oireachtas, under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1995, which give details of all State mining facilities — leases and licences — and prospecting licences in force under those Acts. The report for the six months to 31 December 1995 (PN 2265) was presented on 2 February 1996.

I am currently examining an application for a State mining facility in respect of a proposed major zinc and lead mine at Lisheen, County Tipperary, and a proposed calcite mine at Kilbreckan, County Clare, for which planning permission and an integrated pollution control licence have also been applied for and are required before mining could take place. Other mine development possibilities are also being actively pursued with the interests concerned.

State Mining Licence-Leases

Sml. No.

Held By

County (part of)

Validity

Present Position

From

To

State Mining Licence No.

3-2-1995

2-2-2016

Zinc-Lead Mine at Galmoy is due to come into production in late 1996.

1

Arcon Mines Ltd.

Kilkenny

State Mining Lease No.

17

Joyce's Marble Quarries Ltd.

Galway

1-10-1933

30-9-2032

Marble and other Minerals. Not in production.

79

Joyce's Marble Quarries Ltd.

Galway

1-12-1957

30-11-2056

Marble and other Minerals. Not in production.

23

Flemings Fireclays Ltd.

Kildare

1-3-1937

28-2-2034

Fireclay, Coal. No production since about 1985-86.

37

Flemings Fireclays Ltd.

Laoighis

14-11-1940

13-11-2039

Fireclay, Coal and other Minerals. No production since about 1985-86.

30

Connemara Marble Products Ltd.

Galway

1-11-1937

31-10-2034

Marble. Currently producing.

78

Irish Gypsum Ltd.

Monaghan

1-11-1976

31-10-1996

Gypsum, Anhydrite and other Minerals. Not in production.

119

Irish Gypsum Ltd.

Cavan and Monaghan

1-12-1977

30-11-1997

Gypsum, Anhydrite and other Minerals. Not in production.

124

Irish Gypsum Ltd.

Cavan and Monaghan

1-10-1983

30-9-2013

Gysum, Anhydrite and other Minerals. Not in production.

128

Irish Gypsum Ltd.

Monaghan

17-4-1988

16-4-2018

Gypsum, Anhydrite and other Minerals. In production.

88

Ennex International

Tipperary

1-9-1965

31-12-1998

Lead, Zinc and other Minerals. Mining ceased in 1982.

100

Roadstone Provinces Ltd.

Kilkenny

1-1-1969

31-12-2008

Dolomite and Dolomitic Limestone and other Minerals. In production.

110

Greencore Agribusiness Ltd.

Kilkenny

1-2-1971

31-1-2011

Dolomite and Dolomitic Limestone. Not in production.

114

Arigna Colleries Ltd.

Roscommon

1-9-1971

31-8-1996

Coal. Not in production.

115

Flynn & Lehany Coal Mines Ltd.

Roscommon

1-10-1970

31-3-2043

Coal, etc. No production since 1989 approximately.

116

Tara Mines Ltd.

Meath

1-9-1975

31-8-2010

Zinc, Lead and other Minerals. In production (see Note).

120

Irish Quartz Ltd.

Donegal

1-5-1979

30-4-1999

Quartz. Not in production.

125

Aughacashel Colleries Ltd.

Leitrim

1-8-1986

31-7-2001

Coal. Not in production.

Note: In 1989, the State received US$50 million from Outokumpu OY (the major Finnish multinational) in respect of the sale of the State's 25 per cent shareholding in Tara Mines Ltd. and of all royalties due on certain State owned minerals the subject of the State Mining Lease (SML) granted in 1975. Thus, only an annual dead rent is payable under the SML.
Top
Share