asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state for what minerals and in what areas, so far as his Department is aware, (a) surveying, (b) exploration work, and (c) mining are being carried on at present; and whether any of the similar works to which he referred in a reply of 2nd May, 1957, have been discontinued, and, if so, for what reason.
Written Answers. - Mining Operations.
36.
Surveying, exploration work, and mining are being carried out on the following minerals in the following areas:
(a) Surveying.
Beryl at Sheskinarone, Co. Donegal.
Lead, zinc and copper at Ballycorus, Co. Dublin, at Barrystown, Co. Wexford, and at Keeldrum, Glentogher, Kilrean and Fintown, Co. Donegal.
Lead and zinc at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow.
Lead and zinc at Inistioge and Knockadrina, Co. Kilkenny.
Coal in the Connaught, Leinster and Munster Coalfields.
(b) Exploration Work.
Copper at Allihies, Co. Cork.
Gold at Ballinvally, Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow.
Barytes at Dunmore, Clonakilty, Co. Cork.
Coal in the Connaught, Leinster and Munster Coalfields.
(c) Mining (and/or development).
Lead and zinc at Abbeytown, Ballysodare, Co. Sligo.
Barytes at Shallee, Silvermines, Co. Tipperary.
Barytes at Benbulbin, Co. Sligo.
Copper and iron pyrites at Avoca, Co. Wicklow.
Bog iron ore near Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath.
Gypsum in the Kingscourt-Carrickmacross district of Counties Meath and Monaghan.
Fireclay in the Leinster Coalfield.
Coal in the Connaught, Leinster and Slieveardagh Coalfields.
The following operations, referred to in the reply of 2nd May, 1957 (Volume 161, column 608), have been discontinued:—
(a) Surveying.
Copper and lead at Kenmare, Co. Kerry, and in the Twigspark district, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim.
Copper, lead and zinc at Caim, Co. Wexford.
Copper, lead and molybdenite in West Donegal.
Copper and barytes in SouthWest Cork.
Lead in East Clare, at Carhoon, Co. Galway, and at Annagh, Castlemaine, Co. Kerry.
(b) Exploration Work.
Copper at Hollyford, Co. Tipperary, in the Roaring Water Bay district, Co. Cork, on Valentia Island and at Coad, Co. Kerry.
Copper at Bonmahon, Co. Waterford, and at Beauparc, Co. Meath.
Copper, lead and zinc in West Mayo.
Lead in the Tassan and neighbouring districts of Co. Monaghan.
Antimony and gold at Clontibret, Co. Monaghan.
The reasons for the suspension of operations are not known to me. It is to be presumed, however, that the private interests who held the mining or exploration concessions ceased operations because they were not satisfied with the results of explorations, or because they found that the prices which would be obtained for the minerals would make further operations uneconomic for the time being.