Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the recent gold discovery in County Monaghan he will confirm that measures are in place to ensure that lessons have been learned from poor practice in other mining works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28031/08]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In addition to a State Mining Facility under the Minerals Development Acts, any new mining development requires Planning Permission from the Local Authority and an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency. Planning Applications for mines are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment, which involves preparation by the developer of a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment, including a properly costed closure plan. It is a requirement of all three permits that a surety or bond is in place from the outset to guarantee the availability of funding to implement the closure plan, whether at the end of life of the mine or in the event of premature closure.