Vol. 506 No. 6
16 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the value of ore from Irish mines exported in 1999; the amount of royalties paid to the State on the ore mined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16012/99]
According to CSO statistics, the quantity and value of exports from Irish mines in 1998, the last full year for which figures are available, were as follows:
|
Tonnes |
Value |
|
|
£ |
||
|
Zinc ores and concentrates: |
287,599 |
56,015,000 |
|
Lead ores and concentrates: |
32,633 |
4,198,000 |
|
Gypsum and gypsum products: |
59,576 |
7,708,314 |
A total of £1,012,101.24 was received in royalties and dead rents under the Minerals Development Acts in 1998. Dead rent is the minimum charge set for each rental period which must be paid where a royalties calculation would amount to less. This information is available to Deputies, together with other information relating to exploration and mining facilities, in a statutory report to the Oireachtas which is laid before the House twice yearly.
I asked this question previously under another heading. What increase in royalties does the Minister anticipate under the new arrangement made in conjunction with the development of the two new mines?
The figures given reflect that production at the Galmoy zinc and lead mine was halted for 14 weeks in 1998. The Lisheen mine is expected to commence production later this year and is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes of zinc concentrates and 40,000 tonnes of lead concentrates for export when it reaches full production.
Royalties for both Galmoy and Lisheen are based on a percentage of revenue after deduction of certain production and transport costs. Concessionary rates apply in the first few years in recognition of the high capital costs and heavy debt repayment obligations in the early years, but the industrial mineral projects, such as gypsum, attract a royalty based on tonnage which is considered more appropriate to those products.
