A DELAY to awarding prospecting licences in Clare has been sought.
Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) has appealed to Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) to extend and delay the prospecting licence set to be awarded in Co Clare “so we can all become better informed”.
Garvey told The Clare Echo, “It’s never been more important to get how we use our land and access mineral right. We need stronger policies around the granting of mining licenses and although this is only a prospecting license even that needs stronger consideration. We face a biodiversity crisis so we need to get this right”.
Submissions are to be accepted up until today (January 8th) by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to an application by Meath based Minco Ireland which would allow for a prospecting licence in Bunratty and Tulla.
A prospecting licence entitles the holder to explore for mineral deposits and does not authorise mining of any minerals. The activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact.
Opposition groups to similar licences across the country have regarded the prospecting licence as “the first step in securing a mining licence”. Once a licence is granted, it is valid for six years and is renewable.
In its notice, the Department detailed its intention to grant a prospecting licence to Minco Ireland for base metals, barytes, and ores of silver and gold. The activity allowed is for “mineral exploration involving desktop studies, geo-chemistry, surface geophysics and drilling”.
Townlands impacted in Bunratty include, Ardsollus, Ballykilty, Ballyhannan South, Carrowmeer, Cloonmore, Commons, Coolshamroge, Coogaun, Danganbrack, Feaghquin, Kildrum, Madara, Quin, Quinville South, Quingarden, Rine, Cloonaherna, Cullaun, Kilcornan, Kilkishen, Kilkishen Demesne and Shandangan East. This is included in an area of 9.85 square kilometres.
Tulla’s application is a bigger one and covers an area of 44.30 square kilometres. Ballyblood, Clashduff, Clonbrick, Clonlea, Derrymore East, Derrymore West, Enagh East, Enagh North, Gortadroma, Gortnacorragh, Gortnaglearagh, Kilkishen Demense, Killanena, Killeen, Knockatinty, Knockatooreen, Lahardaun, Lakyle, Lecarrow South, Liscullaun, Lisduff, Rannagh, Teeronea, Cappalaheen, Cloonloum Beg, Cloonloum More, Coolistoonan, Knockatloe and Mountallon are the towlands impacted.
