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Mineral Resources.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004

Tuesday, 22 June 2004

Questions (182, 183)

Phil Hogan

Question:

173 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the reports supplied to the DCMNR technical team by a company (details supplied) and their consultants, contain chemical analysis of the rock found at the site of their proposed extension to substantiate the claim that the mineral resource at Dunbell, County Kilkenny, in the proposed extension lands of RPL is a scheduled mineral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/04]

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Phil Hogan

Question:

174 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the mineral content at a plant (details supplied) at Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, is sufficient to have it classed according to the Mineral Acts 1940 and 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18562/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

Under the Minerals Development Acts 1940 to 1999, both dolomite and dolomitic limestone are included in the list of scheduled minerals encompassed by the Acts. Both rock types contain the mineral dolomite and it is the proportion of the latter that distinguishes the difference between the two rock types. Visual and chemical analyses provided for the deposit currently being worked at Maddoxtown, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, show that the rocks are dolomite. In the area of the proposed extension, the existing mine lessee's experts, using chemical testing, identified dolomitic limestone in their limited drilling programme in 2002. As pointed out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 228 on 25 May 2004, this testing work followed an earlier drilling programme in 1996 which identified a potential dolomite resource in this area. The area of the proposed extension, like that in the area currently being mined, therefore contains minerals scheduled under the Acts.

Comprehensive chemical analysis in the area of the proposed extension have not been carried out by the mining company because it is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that a sizeable mineral deposit exists. However, it might be worthwhile to carry out the analyses if the cost is reasonable. The Department will pursue this issue with the company and I will inform the Deputy of the outcome.

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