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Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG)

Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG). Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 1 st December 2010. 1 st December 2010.

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Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG)

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  1. Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG) Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 1st December 2010

  2. 1st December 2010 IMEG is the representative body for the mining and exploration industry in Ireland and an affiliate of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC). Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG)

  3. 1st December 2010 Appropriate time frame for aftercare to be established as part of mine closure planning to attract industry growth/ development whilst protecting the interests of the state Key Issue

  4. Irish Mining: History • Ireland has long history of mining (Avoca, Tynagh, Gortdrum, Silvermines) • Current Mining • Tara Mine (Co. Meath) • Lisheen (Co. Tipperary) • Galmoy (Co. Kilkenny) • Ireland is a major zinc-lead mining country – Biggest underground zinc/lead mine in Europe, fifth in World • Increased exploration activity recently • Encouraging results reported by a number of international companies

  5. Irish Mining and the Irish Economy • Mining industry employs over 1,200 directly and over 3,000 indirectly • Development of highly skilled and diverse workforce • Significant contribution to regional and national economies • Exports up to €0.5bn annually • Indigenous industry – cannot be relocated • Mining industry in decline: • Galmoy currently in closure • Lisheen to follow in 2013/2014 • Tara current mine life to 2019

  6. Irish Mining and the Global Industry • First in the world in terms of zinc discovered per km2 • Second in the world for lead discovered per km2 • Tenth largest producer of zinc in concentrates • Eleventh largest producer of lead • In 2009 Ireland accounted for: • 36% of European zinc mine production • 15% of European lead production • 3% of Global zinc production • Further significant potential

  7. Environmental Management & Closure • All mines in Ireland operate under local Planning Permissions, State Mine Lease/Licence and IPPCL’s as issued and enforced by the Local planning Authority, DCENR and EPA • Includes significant provisions for global best practice in responsible closure and aftercare • Implementation of progressive closure and site rehabilitation in line with Best Available Technologies (BAT) • Industry is also subject to all relevant EC legislation and Irish planning processes • Transition mine sites into sustainable secondary after use e.g. wind farm

  8. Irish Mining: Aftercare • All licensed mines in Ireland currently subject to perpetual aftercare • Operators provide funds for the aftercare period that are administered by the EPA / Local Planning Authority with DCENR involvement • Industry requires a finite timeframe for aftercare that is site-specific and performance based • Third-party validation report to confirm any residual liabilities are acceptably low; achievable between 5 and 15 years post closure • IMEG proposes an aftercare period of no more than 30 years in total

  9. Key Conclusions • Ireland is recognised for its world class zinc industry in terms of best practices and value for exploration and investment • Mining investment requires clarity and certainty in long term licence ,planning and statutory obligations • Continued support and growth of the industry to be promoted through IMEG and DCENR • Mines today are becoming positive legacy sites i.e. transition into centres of sustainable secondary use post closure e.g. Wind Farm, Centre of Excellence for Sport, Geothermal, Pump Storage potential etc.

  10. Key Recommendations • Appropriate time frame for aftercare to be established as part of mine closure planning to attract industry growth/ development whilst protecting the interests of the state. • Current legislation does not provide for this adequately • Aftercare period of no more than 30 years in total

  11. Questions

  12. Contact Details • Robert O'Shea • Secretary • Irish Mining and Exploration Group (IMEG) • Confederation House • 84/86 Lower Baggot Street • Dublin 2 • Direct Dial: + 353 (0)1 605 1526 • Fax: + 353 (0)1 638 1526 • email: robert.oshea@ibec.ie

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