Prospecting licence renewal sought for Silvermines area

The Government has advertised its intention to renew a prospecting licence for mining mineral exploration in several townlands in north Tipperary.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications intends to renew the prospecting licence for base metals, barytes, gold (ores of) and silver (ores of) for Canadian/Ireland-headquartered and registered company Group Eleven Mining and Exploration Ltd.

The proposed prospecting relates to the following townlands in Ormond Upper Barony: Ballincur, Ballyanrahan, Ballygown North, Ballygown South (part of), Boolteeny, Cloonanagh (part of), Cooleen, Cranahurt, Curragharneen, Deerpark, Erinagh (part of), Garryard East (part of), Garryard West (part of), Garryclogher, Garrymore, Gorteenadiha (part of), Gortnacleha, Gortshaneroe (part of), Kilboy, Kilmore, Kiltyrome (part of), Knockanroe (part of), Lahid, Lisduff, Lisnageenly, Mucklin and Stangs.

Prospecting is also proposed for the Owney and Arra Barony townlands of: Castlecranna, Dromin, Gortmore, Goulreagh, Lackabrack, Longstone, Shallee (White, part of), Shallee Lower and Upper.

Group Eleven’s stated mission is to discover Ireland’s next major zinc deposit. The company has two key assets located near Limerick, next to one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc deposits, Glencore’s Pallas Green deposit.

A prospecting licence entitles the holder to explore for mineral deposits – it does not authorise mining of any minerals. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications advert states that “activities permissible under a licence are, in general, non-invasive and of minimal environmental impact.

“The minister has assessed the exploration programme proposed by the company and has determined that the activities are not likely to have a significant effect on the environment.”

Group Eleven’s mineral exploration activities are to include: Prospecting, geological mapping, ground geophysical surveys and diamond drilling (should it be warranted by exploration results). Prospecting, geological mapping and ground geophysical surveys are temporary field activities, which involve minimal disturbance and have a limited zone of influence. Any drilling activity proposed will have to comply with the Department’s guidelines and protocols, and will be subject to additional environmental screening assessments.

In the event that the company plans to carry out any activity within a proposed Natural Heritage Area (e.g. Silvermine Mountain pNHA), additional environmental screening will be required.

A screening determination has been carried out for the project. Particular attention was paid to the Slievefelim to Silvermines Mountains Special Protection Area (SPA), Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Silvermines Mountain West SAC, Bolingbrook Hill SAC, Silvermine Mountains SAC and Keeper Hill SAC.

ZINC EXPLORATION

The Silvermines mine, located nearby but outside Group Eleven’s license area, was a zinc producer until the 1980s.

Group Eleven was originally granted a six-year prospecting licence in 2016.

Chief Operating Officer David Furlong said the company has been exploring the area on an “on and off” basis in the time since, most recently last summer when some drilling was carried out near the village of Silvermines. Their main focus has been on the Limerick zinc deposits.

“We don't have any immediate plans to go back and do work in Silvermines,” said Mr Furlong, who added that it would most likely be 2024 before attention returns to the local area.

“Silvermines was mined out in the ‘80s. I would say prospects around there are reasonable but prospects in Limerick are better so that's why we are focussing there. There might be some zinc left around Silvermines but we remain to be convinced.”

While the prospecting licence makes reference to gold, Mr Furlong pointed out that gold has never been found in this area and he ruled out the potential of any discovery. Silver has been produced as a by-product of zinc and there could be a small deposits of silver still remaining.

With regard to the prospecting activities, Mr Furlong made the point that the company is quite limited in what it can do. Landowner consent would be required in the first instance, and if the prospectors want to carry out any drilling, they will have to go back to the Department for further approval and prepare an environmental impact assessment.

The Department is seeking public submissions in relation to the prospecting licence renewal. Maps and further information can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/507ce-prospecting-licence-notices/