Vol. 544 No. 4
141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if there have been any finds of gold, silver or other precious ores here in the past ten years; if so, the extent of these finds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29306/01]
There have been no economic finds of gold, silver or precious ores in the past ten years. Gold is known to occur in the rocks in many parts of Ireland and there is a continuing interest in exploring for it. It is the sole target of four current prospecting licences and incidental target of over 130 more of the 432 such licences which were extant at end June 2001. Silver is normally found in Ireland as part of the suite of base metal ores and so it is an incidental target of almost 400 licences. There is also a minor interest in exploring for other high value metals and for diamond and other gemstones.
