Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the degree of correspondence received from a company (details supplied) regarding a zinc find at the Stonepark townland near Ballybricken, County Limerick; the position regarding the mining licence; the possible economic benefit to the area; the amount of employment to be generated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5074/10]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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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 10 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.