We have received an application for a State mining lease or licence as appropriate, in respect of a zinc/lead deposit at Galmoy, County Kilkenny. Discussions on the terms of a proposed lease/licence are ongoing with the company concerned. I have not yet received an application for a State mining lease or licence, in respect of the ore deposit at Lisheen, County Tipperary.
The estimated ore reserves, published in respect of the Galmoy deposit are 6.2 million tonnes grading 11.31 per cent zinc and 1.12 per cent lead, while published reserves for Lisheen, indicate 22.3 million tonnes, grading 11.9 per cent zinc and 2 per cent lead and 27 grammes, per tonne silver.
It is Government policy, to promote the orderly development of the mineral resources of the country, where this can be done in an environmentally acceptable way. Our objective is to achieve a sensible pragmatic basis, on which to balance the needs of job and wealth creation with those of the environment and also to ensure a proper return to the State from the development of our mineral resources. I am sure that with modern extractive methods this can be achieved. We are, therefore, committed to the favourable consideration of applications, for the development of both of these projects, provided that the applicants can demonstrate that they have the necessary financial, technical and other resources, to bring the respective deposits into production, in an acceptable fashion. This is, of course, subject to full planning permission and other necessary permits having been obtained and to our full consideration of any objections received following the advertising procedures, required by section 18 of the Minerals Development Act, 1979.