Six prospecting licences are currently held for the Stonepark and surrounding area of County Limerick by Connemara Mining Company PLC, which is in a joint venture with Teck Ireland Ltd. These licences were granted in 2005 for a six year period with the option of renewal at the end of the six year period. Connemara Mining Company PLC also holds ten other prospecting licences in the wider Limerick area.
On the basis of the most recent public statements by the licensee, results to date are generally positive. In the event that discoveries do prove commercially viable, the company would be expected to proceed to the next phase in the process and apply for a State Mining Facility. There would of course, be other requirements such as planning permission from the relevant local authority and an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (IPPCL) from the EPA. Given the stage at which the project is at, it is not appropriate for me at this time to make anticipatory comment on the economic benefits that would arise from a commercial mining operation.