Vol. 518 No. 6
65 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress to date in relation to the survey of the gypsum deposits at Glangevlin, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12958/00]
68 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if the gypsum deposits at Glangevlin, County Cavan, are viable for extraction following completion of appropriate surveys; if he will ensure that the mining will lead to processing of the gypsum locally so jobs are created and the resultant economic activity is based in the local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12959/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 68 together.
A prospecting licence for the area concerned was issued for a term of two years from 1 April 1996. An extension of two years was also granted from 1 April 1998. The licence expired on 31 March 2000 and the licensee does not now propose to seek a further renewal. I understand that the deposit is not regarded as a viable mining project for the licensee.
The next prospecting licence competition, which will be held on 1 August 2000, will test whether there are other companies interested in seeking a prospecting licence to assess the viability of the deposit in the area. I take the point about the benefits of job creation and downstream economic activity being located in a mine area. Generally speaking, this is a feature of successful mining operations.
I am well aware of the regional importance of an industry such as mining as a source of employment, albeit that it is a capital intensive industry, and would welcome any soundly based, environmentally friendly and viable proposals for a mining lease in the Glangevlin area. As a matter of policy an application for a mining permit in any area is only accepted from the holder in good standing of a prospecting licence for that area. This ensures that the applicant can inform himself of the nature and layout of the mineral body. I should add that the fact that the last licensee has surrendered the licence does not mean there is no prospect of a worthwhile discovery in the area.
I will let the Deputy know if I grant another prospecting licence for the area concerned following the next competition.
I thank the Minister for his reply and I regret that prospecting to date has not indicated a viable gypsum deposit in the Glangevlin area. Glengevlin is in a very undeveloped area and is a part of County Cavan that has been starved of employment opportunities. In view of that, will the Minister ensure that his Department does everything to expedite the issue of a further prospecting licence? Does the Minister agree that in the issuing of any licence, his Department should insert conditions or incentives to ensure that any successful mining applicant would be obliged to have downstream activity locally should the gypsum deposit prove viable, from a mining point of view?
We will be most anxious to encourage any prospecting company to pursue the potential of this mine, or any other. Generally, I am very pleased to see that the level of prospecting and drilling is as strong as it has ever been. This is very significant for the mining industry.
The licence was surrendered because the licensee indicated that the mining and hydro-geological problems would impose too many technical and operational restricitions for the prospect to become a viable mining project. Detailed reports of the prospecting activities which were carried out are being assessed by my Department and these reports will be considered further before the August competition.
I am hopeful that there will be further applications in August. Failure by one company is not regarded as closing the door on the possibility of finding a viable deposit. In the last competition, which awarded the Glangevlin licence, there was only one applicant. I hope there will be a better response on this occasion.
I am grateful to the Minister for his further elaboration regarding the next round of licensing. Does he know when his Department hopes to receive proposals regarding the August licensing round and when is it hoped to issue a further licence? Is a definite timescale envisaged?
I do not have that information but I will communicate with the Deputy on the matter.
