Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 319: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made investigations into the possibility of mining at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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A licence to prospect for base metals, barytes, silver, gold and platinum group elements under the Minerals Development Acts, 1940 to 1999 was granted to Connemara Mining Company Ltd. in January 2005 for a period of six years, over a prospecting area which is centred around Castlemaine. This licence was renewed in March 2011 for a further six years until March 2017. Prospecting licences entitle the holder only to explore for the minerals stated and they do not confer any right to mine. Only holders of current Prospecting licences are considered for State Mining Facilities to develop minerals within the licence area. However, no application has been made for a State Mining Facility in this case.