Vol. 506 No. 6
22 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the assessment, if any, his Department has undertaken on the implications for Irish mining and, in particular, for employment levels in mines arising from the fall in the price of zinc on world markets. [16017/99]
Rising and falling of metal prices is a normal cycle of the metal markets and does not have any short-term effect on employment unless mines are put on care and maintenance. This has not happened in Ireland. In times of high prices substantial profits may be made; when prices are lower that is much more difficult. The normal business planning process must take account of these fluctuations, and does. Equally the assessment of viability of a proposed mine which is undertaken before the granting of a state mining facility takes account of this feature of the market.
Improvements in mining technology and efficiency over the decades has resulted in reductions in employment in the mining industry worldwide. Irish mines have had to follow this trend to remain competitive in a world market.
I will, of course, continue to keep this matter under review.
